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Jv'  PRINCETON,  N.  J.  *'/^ 


Purchased   by  the 
Mrs.    Robert   Lenox    Kennedy  Church   History   Fund. 

Division. U..J\...l.J.^..  O 
Section..*7\.K.C'=^- 


HISTORY 

OF  THE 


Jtrat  OUjurrly  tn  Uoxburg 


MASSACHUSETTS 

1630-1904 


BY 

WALTER   ELIOT  THWING 

WITH    AN    INTRODUCTION 
BY 

Rev.  James  De  Noemandie,  D.D. 


ILLUSTRATED 


BOSTON 

W.    A.    BUTTERFIELD 

59  BROMFIELD  STREET 
1908 


COPTKIGHT,  1908, 
BY 

WALTER  ELIOT  THWTNG 


Stanbopc  ^xxis 

I.  OILSON     COMPANY 
BOSTON.     U.S.A. 


DEDICATED 
To  THE  Memory  of 

Deacon   SUPPLY   CLAP   THWING 


PREFACE 


Various  records  of  the  church  and  of  the  town,  including 
EHot's  book,  and  the  lives  of  the  ministers  and  prominent 
members,  have  been  from  time  to  time  published,  but  there 
has  hitherto  been  no  attempt  to  chronicle  the  history  of  the 
First  Church  in  Roxbury.  My  own  deep  interest  in  the 
church  with  which  my  father  was  for  so  many  years  con- 
nected, has  led  me  to  make  a  systematic  study  of  its  founda- 
tion, the  lives  of  the  founders,  and  the  chain  of  events  leading 
down  to  the  present  time. 

In  the  arrangement  of  material  each  of  the  five  meeting 
houses  erected  on  or  near  the  site  of  the  present  one  has  been 
given  a  chapter.  The  authorities  will  be  found  in  the  adjoin- 
ing list.  From  these,  extensive  quotations  have  been  made, 
and  as  far  as  possible  the  records  tell  the  story. 

The  early  records  of  the  town,  school,  and  church  are  very 
imperfect;  in  Eliot's  petition  to  the  General  Court,  June  29, 
1669,  for  a  renewal  of  the  school  charter,  he  says,  "  Our  first 
book  and  charter  were  burned  in  ye  burning  of  John  John- 
son's house"  (1645).  But  from  1652  the  records  are  in  a 
tolerably  good  condition,  although  the  events  are  not  always 
recorded  in  sequence.  Rev.  Amos  Adams  notes  in  reference 
to  the  church  records,  "Inasmuch  as  some  things  worthy  of 
notice  are  not  as  I  find  mentioned  in  this  Book  and  others 
yt  are,  are  mentioned  in  divers  places  scattered  up  and  down, 
I  have  thot  proper  here  to  insert  ye  following  articles,  follow- 
ing ye  Revd.  Mr.  Eliot  and  Danforth's  annals  of  events." 


PREFACE 


The  opening  words  are,  "  The  First  Church  in  Roxbury  was 
gathered  July  1632."  This  is  the  only  evidence  on  the 
church  records  of  the  gathering  of  the  church,  and  as  no 
copy  of  the  covenant  can  be  found,  it  was  probably  burned 
in  John  Johnson's  house. 

For  many  years  the  inhabitants  of  West  Roxbury,  Jamaica 
Plain,  and  Brookline  (then  called  Muddy  River)  worshipped 
in  this  church.  In  1717  the  town  of  Brookline  organized  an 
independent  church.  In  1712  the  Congregational  Parish  of 
West  Roxbury  was  set  off  from  this  church,  and  in  1770  the 
First  Congregational  Society  of  Jamaica  Plain  was  organized 
from  the  West  Roxbury  Church.  In  1821  the  Dudley  Street 
Baptist  Church  was  organized;  in  1822,  the  Universalist ;  in 
1832,  the  St.  James  Episcopal;  in  1834,  the  Eliot  Congrega- 
tional, and  in  1846  the  Second  Unitarian  Church,  Mt. 
Pleasant  Congregational,  now  All  Soul's.  From  this  we  see 
that  for  nearly  two  hundred  years  this  was  the  only  church 
within  the  limits  of  Roxbury  proper. 

It  has  been  difficult  to  get  details  of  the  lives  of  many  of 
those  prominent  in  the  church,  and  many  who  were  prominent 
in  the  town  and  in  public  life  are  unnoticed,  as  there  is  no 
mention  of  them  in  the  church  records.  This  is  by  no  means 
proof  that  they  were  not  members.  During  the  last  century 
a  large  number  hired  seats,  and,  attending  the  church  regu- 
larly, considered  themselves  members  of  the  church,  but  as 
it  is  well  nigh  impossible  to  learn  the  names  of  all  of  these, 
they  have  been  omitted,  and  I  have  limited  myself  throughout 
to  those  mentioned  in  the  records.  In  the  brief  biographies 
of  the  early  members  the  date  of  baptism  has  been  given 
whenever  possible,  as  this  shows  that  one  or  both  parents 
were  church  members.  Prior  to  the  year  1752  the  year 
began  March  25,  therefore  the  double  date  has  been  used  for 
the  first  three  months  of  the  year  as  at  present  computed. 


PREFACE 


I  beg  gratefully  to  acknowledge  the  aid  rendered  by  many 
friends  and  especially  by  those  who  have  given  valuable  help 
in  offering  letters  relating  to  their  immediate  families.  It  is 
to  be  regretted  that  it  is  not  possible  to  print  the  whole  or 
parts  of  these  letters,  but  as  this  is  not  a  genealogical  record, 
I  have  been  obliged  to  restrict  myseff  to  the  mere  facts  of 
birth,  death,  and  marriage,  the  occupation  of  members  as  far 
as  can  be  ascertained,  and  to  note  any  public  offices  they 
may  have  held.  I  shall  be  grateful  to  receive  any  corrections 
if  dates  or  facts  are  found  to  be  wrong. 

My  thanks  are  due  to  Mr.  William  C.  Lane,  Librarian  of 
Harvard  University,  for  the  photograph  of  the  Corlet  "  Elegy, " 
and  to  Messrs.  Allen  A.  Brown  and  William  H.  Gerrish  for 
much  information  in  regard  to  the  choirs. 

I  am  greatly  indebted  to  our  present  pastor,  the  Rev.  James 
DeNormandie,  D.D.,  for  his  introduction,  and  to  my  mother 
and  sister  for  their  encouragement  and  help  in  preparing  this 
work. 

Two  hundred  and  seventy-seven  years  have  passed  since 
a  few  men  and  women  left  home  and  friends  for  conscience 
sake,  faced  the  great  perils  of  the  wilderness  and  gathered  a 
Church  in  Roxbury.  The  seed  then  sown  has  borne  won- 
drous fruit.  The  creed  has  changed  but  the  church  sur- 
vives. The  spirit  of  the  age  and  the  change  in  the  character 
of  the  inhabitants  of  the  locality  have  greatly  influenced  the 
church  membership,  but  under  the  able  and  earnest  minis- 
tration of  our  present  Pastor  the  Church  still  flourishes.  And 
it  is  the  prayer  and  devout  wish  of  those  of  us  who  now 
worship  in  the  old  Meeting  House  on  the  same  site  where  our 
forefathers  gathered,  that  here  we  may  continue  to  worship 
for  many  years  to  come. 

Walter  Eliot  Thwing. 
March,  1908. 


INTRODUCTION 


Man  has  always  had  a  strong  affection  for  the  places  of 
his  worship.  Of  many  nations  these  are  their  only  traces 
which  remain.  Everything  else  has  passed  away  —  theatres, 
museums,  hbraries,  art -galleries,  forums,  halls  of  traffic  — 
but  we  still  make  pilgrimages  to  the  ruins  of  their  altars 
where  they  brought  their  oblations,  and  sought  to  escape  the 
frown,  or  gain  the  favor,  of  their  divinities. 

One  cannot  pause  without  emotion,  upon  a  spot,  where, 
from  a  period  reaching  back  to  the  settlement  of  a  land,  and 
without  any  interruption,  generations  have  gathered,  in  the 
day  of  small  things,  amidst  dangers  and  privations,  and  in 
the  day  of  rapid  increase  in  wealth,  power  and  prosperity  — 
to  bring  the  story  of  their  gratitude,  penitence,  and  prayer  to 
the  altar  of  God.  However  indifferent  or  neglectful  persons 
may  have  grown  to  the  observance  of  religious  forms  in  their 
old  homes,  as  soon  as  they  come  to  a  new  land  they  set  up 
some  place  of  worship,  and  confess  that  need  of  the 
spiritual  realities  to  which  the  whole  history  of  man  bears 
witness. 

The  First  Church  in  Roxbury  traces  an  eventful  history 
to  the  settlement  of  the  plantation.  On  the  same  spot, 
without  any  break  in  its  records,  or  any  pause  in  its  worship, 
with  a  line  of  most  distinguished  ministers  from  the  Apostle 
Eliot,  to  the  great  preacher,  Dr.  Putnam,  with  a  very  large 
number  of  its  members  eminent  in  every  department  of 
civic,  professional,  and  private  life  (as  will  appear  in  this 
book),    and    with    many    events   of   historical    significance 


INTRODUCTION 


occurring  within  its  grounds,  this  church  is  rapidly  approach- 
ing the  end  of  three  centuries. 

The  writer  of  this  church  history  has  studied  everything 
relating  to  it,  with  careful,  faithful,  and  unwearied  labor,  wide 
research  and  diligent  inquiry  for  several  years,  and  as  few 
churches  have  had  such  an  eventful  history,  none  has  had  a 
more  devoted  chronicler. 

The  word  "church"  is  used  sometimes  for  the  house  of 
God  as,  "  I  am  going  to  St.  Paul's  to-day, "  sometimes  for  the 
body  of  communicants,  and  very  often  for  the  whole  service 
of  devotion  as,  "  I  am  going  to  church  this  morning. "  It  is 
on  account  of  this  varied  use  of  the  word  that  it  is  difficult 
occasionally  to  fix  the  exact  date  of  a  church's  beginning. 
Some  count  from  the  building  of  the  house,  some  from  the 
settlement  of  a  minister,  some  from  the  gathering  of  a  few 
worshippers  on  a  ship's  deck,  or  under  a  spreading  tree,  or 
in  the  room  of  a  private  house  —  this  latter  is  the  true  idea 
of  the  iKK\rj(Tia,  the  assembly. 

The  Apostle  Eliot's  records  of  the  First  Church  begin  thus, 
"  Mr.  William  Pinchon,  he  came  in  the  first  company,  1630. 
He  was  one  of  the  first  foundation  of  the  church  at  Rocks- 
borough.  "  Then  he  goes  on  to  name  several  families  which 
he  says  were  of  the  first  company  in  1630,  certainly  enough 
to  have  some  kind  of  a  gathering  for  the  worship  of  God ;  and 
in  days  when  worship  was  so  dear  to  them  after  the  persecu- 
tions they  had  suffered  in  England,  especially  with  all  the 
loneliness  and  privations,  perils  of  the  wilderness,  and  perils 
of  the  Indians,  and  the  rigor  of  wintry  days,  in  some  home 
however  humble  they  must  have  assembled  and  constituted 
a  true  church.  When  weather  permitted,  and  weather  was 
not  a  serious  obstacle  in  those  days  to  church  going,  they 
went  for  awhile  through  the  pathway  in  the  forests  over  to 
Dorchester,  "  until  such  time  as  God  should  give  them  oppor- 


INTRODUCTION 


tunity  to  be  a  church  among  themselves."  "Mr.  George 
Alcock,  he  came  w*'^  the  first  company  ano.  1630.  When 
the  people  of  Rocksbrough  joyned  to  the  church  at  Dor- 
chester, he  was  by  the  church  chosen  to  be  a  Deakon  esp'c  to 
regard  the  brethren  at  Rocksbrough :  and  after  he  adjoyned 
himselfe  to  this  church  at  Rocksbrough  he  was  ordained  a 
Deakon  of  this  church."  The  early  ministers  of  these 
plantations,  as  the  first  settlements  were  called,  regarded 
themselves  as  self-constituted  chroniclers  of  whatever  took 
place  in  their  sparsely  inhabited  parishes.  They  were  the 
historians  and  journalists  of  the  time.  If  a  house  was  struck 
by  lightning,  or  a  great  storm  came,  or  any  portent  in  the 
heavens,  or  some  accident  befell  a  settler,  or  an  epidemic 
appeared,  or  a  brother  or  sister  lapsed  into  heresy,  or  a  ship 
arrived  or  sailed,  or  if  there  was  an  exceptional  season,  as 
once  the  Apostle  writes,  "not  any  snow  fell  this  winter," 
if  there  was  an  abundant  harvest  or  a  threatened  famine,  the 
minister  makes  a  note  of  it  in  the  parish  book,  and  frequently 
this  is  all  the  history  of  the  times  we  have. 

There  was  a  special  reason  in  the  theology  of  that  day  for 
the  minister  to  make  these  records.  According  to  the  Puritan, 
the  Church  was  a  company  of  Christians  under  the  Govern- 
ment of  God.  Each  church  was  to  mark  the  separation 
of  the  faithful  from  the  sinners;  it  consisted  of  the  "visible 
saints, "  and  even  if  the  saintship  was  not  always  visible,  its 
object  was  to  maintain  a  high  standard  of  purity  and  holiness 
among  its  members.  Each  church  was  a  unit  to  determine 
its  OAvn  rules  of  faith  and  life.  "The  kingdom  of  God," 
said  the  Puritan  Robert  Browne,  "was  not  to  be  begun  by 
whole  parishes,  but  rather  of  the  worthiest  were  they  never 
so  few."  When  the  Independent  divines  put  forth  their 
"  Declaration, "  its  preface  says,  "  From  the  first,  every,  or  at 
least  the  generality  of  our  churches,  have  been  in  a  manner 


INTRODUCTION 


like  so  many  ships  (though  holding  forth  the  same  general 
colours)  lancht  singly  and  sailing  apart  and  alone  in  the  vast 
ocean  of  these  tumultuating  times,  and  exposed  to  every 
wind  of  Doctrine  under  no  other  conduct  than  the  Word  and 
the  Spirit,  and  their  particular  Elders,  and  principal  Brethren, 
without  association  among  ourselves,  or  so  much  as  holding 
out  common  lights  to  others,  whereby  to  know  where  we  are. " 
No  church  or  union  of  churches  had  any  right  or  power  to 
interfere  with  the  faith  or  discipline  of  any  other  church,  so 
it  had  to  be  a  jealous  custodian  of  the  conduct  of  its  own 
members.  There  was  no  disposition  to  gloss  over  the  faults 
of  anyone,  man  or  woman,  who,  having  once  taken  hold  of 
the  covenant,  had  fallen  from  grace ;  so  the  minister  was  quite 
ready  to  put  down  in  black  and  white  his  spiritual  judgment 
of  his  flock.  But  with  a  keen  watch  for  heresy  or  for  sin,  a 
tender  love  and  sympathy  went  with  it.  The  atmosphere  of 
every  home  was  known,  and  any  lapsing  brother  or  sister 
was  brought  to  the  open  confessional  or  banished  the  settle- 
ment. On  the  Rockesbrough  Hill  fast  by  the  first  little 
rough  meeting-house  stood  the  stocks  and  the  pillory, 
guardians  of  peace  and  terror  to  evil  doers,  where  the 
offender  had  to  stand  in  full  view  of  the  elect,  and  where 
every  offence  against  the  gospel  was  sure  to  be  followed  by 
the  penalty  of  the  law.  These  records  make  strange  reading 
to-day,  but  after  all  the  sins  make  a  very  small  part  of  them. 
The  records  of  the  Apostle  Eliot  are  of  surpassing  interest, 
because  the  man  is  the  most  interesting  figure  in  the  early 
history  of  New  England.  There  is  such  a  flavor  of  humanity 
and  godliness  about  them  because  the  man  was  so  human,  so 
godly.  What  tender  yearnings  come  out  in  a  sentence  like 
this,  about  some  who  had  humbled  themselves  by  public 
confession  in  the  meeting  house,  "we  have  cause  to  hope 
that  the  full  proceedings  of  discipline,"   (no  letting  up  of 


INTRODUCTION 


discipline)  "will  doe  more  good  than  theire  sin  hath  done 
harm." 

The  plan  of  the  writer  of  this  volume  has  not  permitted 
him  to  go  beyond  the  affairs  and  statistics  relating  to  the 
church  —  but  many  matters  of  historical  interest,  and 
especially  events  connected  with  the  Revolution,  cluster 
around  the  site  of  the  First  Church. 

Here  Washington  came  to  review  the  army,  the  right  of 
which  was  at  Roxbury,  its  main  post  being  on  Meeting-House 
Hill.  Its  first  commander  was  General  Thomas,  whose 
headquarters  were  in  the  parsonage,  still  standing  on  the 
high,  rocky  bluff  near  the  church,  almost  the  last  witness  to 
the  scenes  of  those  stormy  days,  and  with  a  superb  view  over 
the  city.  The  lawn  in  front  of  the  meeting  house  was  the 
grand  parade  ground  of  the  army.  Here  the  guards  for  the 
advanced  lines  on  the  neck,  for  the  main  guard  in  Roxbury 
Street,  and  for  the  other  posts,  and  the  fatigue  parties  em- 
ployed on  the  fortifications  were  formed  every  morning,  and 
reviewed  by  General  Thomas,  who,  with  his  spy-glass, 
watched  from  the  dormer  windows  of  his  house  the  move- 
ments of  the  enemy  at  Charlestown.  The  Rhode  Island 
troops  were  said  to  be  the  best  furnished ;  while  the  Southern 
riflemen,  in  white  hunting  shirts  and  Indian  moccasins,  were 
among  the  most  picturesque,  and  also  the  most  feared.  They 
had  been  trained  to  think  it  disgraceful  to  shoot  game  any- 
where but  in  the  head;  and  at  a  review  a  company  of  them 
fired,  at  a  quick  advance,  their  balls  into  objects  of  seven 
mches  diameter,  at  a  distance  of  two  hundred  and  fifty  yards. 
The  British  spoke  of  them  as  those  "  shirt-tail  men,  with  their 
cursed  twisted  guns,  the  most  fatal  widow  and  orphan 
workers  in  the  world. " 

When  the  troops  started  on  their  march  to  Cambridge,  and 
went  down  Roxbury  Street,  the  one  road  to  Boston,  and  past 


INTRODUCTION 


the  school-house  of  the  famous  grammar  school,  founded  by 
the  Apostle  Eliot  after  the  type  of  the  gramimar  schools  of 
England,  the  fires  of  patriotism  could  no  longer  be  smothered 
in  the  teacher,  Robert  Williams;  he  dismissed  the  boys,  gave 
the  key  of  the  school-house  to  a  pupil  to  hand  to  the  trustees, 
fell  in  the  march  with  the  soldiers,  and  served  throughout 
the  war  with  a  marked  distinction  which  is  cherished  by  his 
descendants. 

Here  Whitefield  came  in  his  great  revival  journey  and 
preached  on  the  lawn  in  front  of  the  church  on  Friday, 
April  26,  1740,  to  an  immense  congregation  coming  from 
every  part  of  the  country,  and  in  every  kind  of  vehicle,  to  the 
number,  it  is  said,  of  at  least  sixteen  thousand.  After  his 
services  he  dined  with  Judge  Paul  Dudley,  the  founder  of  the 
Dudleian  Lectureship  at  our  neighboring  University.  White- 
field  was  graciously  welcomed  by  the  clergy  of  Boston,  with 
the  exception  of  Dr.  Cutler,  rector  of  Christ  Church,  who, 
meeting  him  on  the  street,  said  to  him,  "  I  am  sorry  to  see  you 
here,"  to  whom  Whitefield  quietly  replied,  "So  is  the  devil." 

In  the  list  of  members  of  the  church  which  stood  on  the  site 
of  this  present  one,  and  which  may  be  called  the  church  of 
the  Revolutionary  period,  it  is  surprising  to  find  how  many 
were  officers  of  the  army. 

Another  matter  which  enters  largely  into  the  history  of  the 
First  Church  is  the  great  interest  taken  by  the  Apostle  Eliot 
and  members  of  the  congregation  in  education.  In  a 
small  manuscript  roll  covered  with  dark,  time-stained  vellum 
and  tied  with  a  cord  of  skin  is  preserved  one  of  the  most 
valuable  documents  in  the  early  history  of  New  England.  It 
contains  the  covenant  for  the  establishment  of  "The  Free 
Schoole  in  Roxburie, "  afterwards  known  as  "  The  Grammar 
School  in  the  Easterly  part  of  the  toAvn  of  Roxbury, "  and 
still  later  as  the  Roxbury  Latin  School.     It  is  dated  the  last 


INTRODUCTION 


day  of  August  in  the  year  of  our  Lord  1645.  The  book  is 
rich  in  signatures  of  EHot,  Weld,  the  Dudleys,  Seavers, 
Williamses,  Hemingways,  Ruggleses,  Mays,  Dorrs,  Sumners, 
Heaths,  and  many  who  were  prominent  in  the  plantation  of 
Roxbury.  The  method  and  earnestness  with  which  they 
entered  into  the  matter,  and  their  determination  to  sustain 
the  school  at  whatever  sacrijBce  is  shown  by  another  paper 
the  next  year  wherein,  "  it  is  agreed  by  all  those  inhabitants 
of  Roxbury  as  have  or  shall  subscribe  their  names  or  marks 
to  this  book  for  themselves  severally  and  for  their  respective 
heirs  and  executors  that  not  only  their  houses  but  their  fields, 
orchards,  gardens,  outhouses  and  homesteads,  shall  be  and 
hereby  are  bound  and  made  liable  to  and  for  the  several 
sums  and  rents  before  and  hereafter  in  this  book  mentioned 
to  be  paid  by  every  of  them. " 

I  do  not  know  where  one  can  find  earlier,  more  constant, 
more  generous,  or  more  consecrated  efforts  in  the  interests  of 
education,  and  in  the  list  of  subscribers  it  is  remarkable  how 
few  made  their  "marks,"  for  their  pledges. 

It  is  impossible  to  include  in  this  volume  these  old-time 
records  of  what  was  the  heroic  age  of  New  England.  They 
are  not  such  records  as  we  write  to-day,  but  at  heart  the 
humanity  of  these  worshippers  was  of  the  same  type  as  our 
own.  Here  is  a  long  and  faithful  list  of  those  who  for  genera- 
tions have  worshipped  on  the  same  spot,  and  thousands  of 
their  descendants  now  scattered  throughout  this  vast  land 
will  find  their  names  with  a  touch  of  grateful  memory  and 
emotion.  For  two  hundred  and  seventy-seven  years  this 
church  has  been  the  abode  of  the  highest  and  most  helpful 
ideals  to  which  the  human  heart  can  be  consecrated,  and 
the  fire  has  not  been  suffered  to  die  out  upon  the  altar,  nor 
has  the  altar  been  removed.  We  are  not  like  the  Fathers  by 
wearing  the  Puritan  dress,  nor  by  subscribing  to  their  doc- 


INTRODUCTION 


trines,  but  by  sacrifices  for  a  new  land;  by  their  interest  in 
education ;  by  their  efforts  to  walk  together  as  the  truth  might 
be  revealed  to  them;  by  a  deeper  faith  in  those  few  great 
spiritual  verities  which  ever  have  been,  and  ever  must  be,  the 
refuge,  support,  and  inspiration  of  the  human  soul. 

This  church  has  had  a  noble  past,  but  the  real  value  of  a 
church  is  not  in  its  past,  but  in  its  ability  to  minister  to  the 
religious  needs  of  to-day. 

May  many  generations  gather  on  this  spot  for  their  finest 
apprehension  of  truth,  and  for  their  deepest  assurances  of 
the  living  God. 

James  De  Normandie. 

45  Lambert  Avenue,  Roxbijbt. 
March,  1908. 


CONTENTS 


jfirst  /iBeettng  Ibouse 

Page 

List  of  Pastors  and  Officers 1 

History  of  the  Church 3 

Life  of  Thomas  Welde 15 

Lite  of  John  Eliot      17 

Life  of  Samuel  Danforth 38 

Lives  of  the  Ruling  Elders 42 

Lives  of  the  Deacons     43 

Church  Members 45 

SeconD  ifbeetirxQ  Ibousc 

List  of  Pastors  and  Officers      67 

History  of  the  Church      69 

Life  of  Nehemiah  Walter 84 

Life  op  Thomas  Walter 112 

Lives  of  the  Ruling  Elders 116 

Lives  of  the  Deacons     118 

Church  Members 120 

^birD  Meeting  Ibousc 

List  of  Pastors  and  Officers 137 

History  of  the  Church      139 

Church  Members 142 

3Fourtb  /llbeeting  Ibouse 

List  of  Pastors  and  Officers 145 

History  of  the  Church 149 

Life  op  Oliver  Peabody 174 

Life  of  Amos  Adams 175 

Life  op  Eliphalet  Porter 178 

Lives  of  the  Deiacons 185 

Church  Members 186 

xvii 


CONTENTS 


jflttb  ^ecttng  Ibouse 

Page 

List  of  Pastors  and  Officers 209 

History  of  the  Church      217 

Life  of  George  Putnam 240 

Lives  of  the  Deacons 245 

History  of  the  Communion  Table 256 

Church  Members 259 

Pew  Owners 271 

History  of  the  Music 335 

History  of  the  Sunday  School 353 

History  of  the  Horse  Sheds 356 

History  of  the  Church  Charities 358 

Appendix  —  Presenilation  of  John  Eliot's  Chair 372 

Index 374 


LIST  OF   ILLUSTRATIONS. 


Present  Meeting  House Frontispiece 

Built  in  1804,  and  showing  Putnam  Chapel,  built  in  1876.  The 
large  building  near  the  church  on  the  left  is  Stoddard's  New  Brick 
Building,  where  services  were  held  in  1803. 

The  Corlet  Elegy facing      87 

Elegy  on  Elijah  Corlet,  the  first  schoolmaster  of  Cambridge,  by 
Nehemiah  Walter,  1687.  The  original  is  in  possession  of  Har- 
vard University.  Copied  through  the  courtesy  of  Mr.  William 
C.  Lane,  Librarian. 

Plan  of  the  Third  Meeting  House,  1736 facing     139 

The  Parsonage facing    174 

Built  by  Oliver  Peabody  in  1751  and  occupied  by  him  and  his 
successors.  After  the  death  of  Dr.  Porter  by  Charles  K. 
Dillaway. 

Meeting  House  Hill  in  1790 facing     169 

Showing  the  Fourth  Meeting  House,  the  Parsonage  on  the  right  and 
Horse  Sheds  near  the  church  on  the  left.  From  an  oil  painting  by 
John  Ritts  Penniman,  a  painter  living  in  Roxbury.  Taken 
from  Francis  S.  Drake's  History  of  Roxbury,  through  the  comlesy 
of  Mr.  Edward  W.  McGlermen. 

Plate facing    218 

This  Plate,  supposed  to  have  been  placed  under  the  corner  stone 
of  the  present  Meeting  House,  was  stolen  in  some  mysterious 
manner,  and  returned  anonymously  in  1813. 

Plan  of  the  Floor  of  the  Present  Meeting  House,  1804. 

This  remains  unchanged,  with  the  exception  of  the  removal  of  two 
pews  near  the  pulpit  when  the  present  pulpit  was  built,     facing     271 


LIST    OF  ILLUSTRATIONS 


Plan  of  the  Galleries  of  the  Present  Meeting  House,  1804. 
Showing  the  square  pews  and  the  singers'  seats.    A  change  was 
made  in  1835 facing    310 

Plan  of  Galleries  of  the  Present  Meeting  House.    .    .   facing    317 
Showing  the  long  pews  after  the  change  in   1835.    The  only 
change  since  then  was  made  in  1888,  when  four  small  pews 
attached  to  the  organ  were  removed  when  the  new  organ  was 
built. 

View  of  Eliot  Square facing    356 

Showing  the  Meeting  House  and  the  Horse  Sheds,  taken  from 
John  W.  Barber's  Historical  Collections  of  Massachusetts, 
1844. 

Interior  of  the  Present  Meeting  House  looking  East,  Taken 

in  1857 facing    232 

Interior  of  the  Present  Meeting  House  looking  West,  Taken 

in  1857 facing     234 

Interior  op  the  Present  Meeting  House  looking  East,  Taken 

IN  1900 238 

Interior  of  the  Present  Meeting  House  looking  West,  Taken 

IN  1900 facing  240 

John  Eliot's  Chair facing  373 

Presented  by  the  First  Parish  in  Dorchester  to  the  First  Church  in 

Roxbury,  Sunday  Evening,  March  17,  1907. 


AUTHORITIES. 


Recordes  of  the  First  Church  in  Roxbury,  including  Eliot's  Book. 

Town  Records  of  Roxbury. 

Town  and  Chiu-ch  Records  of  Dorchester. 

Town  and  Church  Records  of  Boston. 

Town  and  Church  Records  of  Brookline. 

Massachusetts  Archives. 

Suffolk  County  Deeds. 

Norfolk  County  Deeds. 

History  of  New  England,  1630-1649.     John  Winthrop. 

Wonder   Working   Providence   of   Zion's   Saviom-,    1658.     Capt.   Edward 

Johnson. 
Plain  Dealings  or  News  from  New  England,  1642.     Thomas  Lechford. 
A  Briefe  Description  of  New  England,  1660.     Samuel  Maverick. 
New  England's  Prospects,  1634.     William  Wood. 
Magnelia  Christi  Americana,  1702.     Cotton  Mather. 
Journal  of  a  Voyage  to  New  York  and  a  Tour  in  Several  American  Colonies, 

1679-80.     Jasper  Dankers. 
Diary  of  Judge  Samuel  SewaU,  1673-1729. 
History  of  New  England,  1873.     John  Gorham  Palfrey. 
Memorials  of  the  Pilgrim  Fathers,  John  Eliot  and  His  Friends  of  Nazing 

and  Waltham,  1882.     William  Winters. 
Bibliography  of  the  Algonquin  Languages,  1891.    James  Constantine  Pilling. 
Massachusetts  Historical  Society,  Collections  and  Proceedings. 
New  England  Historic  and  Grenealogical  Register. 
Biographical  Dictionary,  1809.     John  Eliot. 
Biographical  Dictionary,  1809  and  1857.     William  Allen. 
Harvard  Graduates,  1873-85.     John  Langdon  Sibley. 
Annals  of  the  American  Pulpit,  1857.     William  B.  Sprague. 
American  Quarterly  Register. 

Life  of  Nehemiah  Walter,  1755.     Thomas  Prince  and  Thomas  Foxcraft. 
Revolutionary  Adventures  of  Ebenezer  Fox,  1838. 
Records  of  Deacon  Joshua  Felton,  1782-1816. 
Newspapers  of  the  Eighteenth  and  Nineteenth  Centuries. 
Genealogies  of  Individual  Families. 


HISTORY   OF  THE   FIRST   CHURCH 
IN   ROXBURY 


1632-1674 


PASTORS 

Rev.  Mr.  Thomas  Welde 
Rev.  Mr.  Samuel  Danforth 

TEACHER 
Rev.  Mr.  John  Eliot 

RULING  ELDERS 
Mr.  John  Miller      Mr.  Isaac  Heath 

DEACONS 

Mr.  George  Alcock 
Mr.  William  Parke  Mr.  Philip  Eliot 

Mr.  Giles  Paison 

SEXTONS 

John  Chandler  chosen  in  1659 

William  Cleaves  chosen  in  1669 


THE  FIRST   MEETING   HOUSE 


John  Eliot  was  called  to  be  a  Teacher  to  the  Roxbury 
people  soon  after  the  building  of  the  first  meeting  house  and 
his  life  and  labours,  together  with  those  of  his  Nazing  asso- 
ciates, occupy  no  small  space  in  the  evangelical  annals  of 
New  England. 

In  the  words  of  Mr.  Winters,  who  wrote  from  the  English 
point  of  view: 

As  a  pioneer  and  reformer,  Eliot  stands  prominent  among  the  settlers 
and  fomiders  of  the  New  World,  surrounded  and  supported  by  a  galaxy  of 
Essex  Nonconformists  of  the  purest  type.  It  is  well  known  that  there  is  no 
county  in  Old  England  that  can  claim  precedence  of  Essex  for  honest  and 
intrepid  men,  especially  those  of  the  Reformation  age,  who,  for  the  sake  of 
truth  and  liberty,  endm-ed  the  tortures  of  the  rack  and  fagot ;  and  others  of  a 
later  period  feared  not  to  exercise  the  right  of  conscience  and  private  judg- 
ment in  things  agreeable  to  their  religious  impressions,  until  overcome  by 
the  heat  of  persecution,  they  were  necessitated  to  cross  the  stormy  Atlantic 
in  search  of  a  home  in  the  dreary  wilds  of  the  Far  West. 

The  First  Church  in  Roxbury,  whose  influence  was  to 
become  great  and  far-reaching,  was  the  sixth  to  be  gathered 
by  the  emigrants  to  New  England,  being  preceded  by  those 
of  Plymouth  (1620),  Salem  (1629),  Dorchester  (1630), 
Boston  (1630),  and  Watertown  (1630).  A  company  of  the 
men  who  arrived  in  Winthrop's  fleet  in  1630,  sat  down  in 
Roxbury,  and  these,  with  others  who  came  later  in  the  same 
year  and  in  1631,  were  the  founders  of  our  church. 

Under  the  charge  of  Deacon  George  Alcock  they  first 
joined  themselves  to  the  church  in  Dorchester,  until  such 

3 


THE    FIRST    MEETING    HOUSE 


time  as  God  should  give  them  opportunity  to  be  a  church 
among  themselves.  In  1630  they  were  taxed  for  the  main- 
tenance of  the  ministers  at  Charlestown  and  Boston.  The 
beginning  of  a  church  was  usually  considered  to  date  from 
the  signing  of  the  covenant  and  the  ordaining  of  the  first 
pastor,  but,  unfortunately,  the  covenant  of  our  church 
cannot  be  found,  though  we  have  the  date  of  the  ordination 
of  the  first  pastor.  Rev.  Amos  Adams  notes  in  the  church 
book  that  the  church  was  gathered  in  1632.  On  the  other 
hand  the  words  under  the  clock  in  the  gallery  of  the  present 
Meeting  House  built  in  1804,  and  placed  there  by  an 
unknown  hand,  say,  "This  church  was  gathered  in  1631," 
and  Captain  Johnson  in  "Wonder  Working  Providence" 
heads  the  paragraph  on  Roxbury,  "The  Fift  Church  of 
Christ  gathered  at  Roxbury  1631."  But  Johnson  did 
not  always  agree  with  other  authorities  as  to  the  date  of 
organization. 

To  have  been  without  a  church,  both  in  the  sense  of 
a  gathering  and  a  building,  must  have  been  very  trying  to 
the  settlers,  and  we  may  infer  that  while  worshipping 
in  Dorchester,  they  constantly  kept  in  mind  their  own 
aspirations,  and  discussed  among  themselves  their  hopes  and 
plans. 

Judging  from  the  history  of  other  churches  of  the  time,  in 
all  probability  the  covenant  was  signed  when  the  first  meeting 
house  was  built  and  ready  for  occupancy,  and  the  first 
Pastor,  Rev.  Thomas  Welde,  ordained,  in  the  month  of  July, 
1632. 

During  that  year  another  band  of  emigrants  arrived  and 
these  were  the  friends  of  John  Eliot,  coming  chiefly  from 
Nazing  and  the  adjoining  parishes.  Before  leaving  England, 
Eliot  had  engaged  with  a  select  number  of  his  pious  and 
Christian  friends  that  if  they  should  come  into  these  parts 


THE    FIRST    MEETING    HOUSE 


before  he  should  be  in  a  pastoral  care  of  any  other  people, 
he  would  give  himself  to  them  and  be  for  their  service.  It 
happened  that  these  friends  transplanted  themselves  hither 
the  year  after  he  came,  and  chose  their  habitations  in  Roxbury, 
and  it  was  no  doubt  through  their  influence  with  the  church 
which  had  already  settled  Mr.  Welde  as  Pastor,  that  John 
Eliot  was  called  to  be  their  Teacher,  and  he  was  ordained 
Nov.  5,  1632. 

We  have  no  record  of  the  appearance  nor  the  size  of  the 
first  meeting  house,  but  Captain  Johnson  in  his  "Wonder 
Working  Providence  "  tells  us,  in  speaking  of  Roxbury: 

Their  streetes  are  large,  and  some  fayre  houses,  yet  have  they  built  their 
House  for  Church  assembly,  destitute  and  unbeautified  with  other  buildings. 
The  Church  of  Christ  here  is  increased  to  about  120  persons,  their  first 
Teaching  Elder  called  to  office  is  Mr.  EUot,  a  yong  man,  at  his  comming 
thither  of  a  cheerfull  spirit,  walking  unblameable,  of  a  godly  conversation, 
apt  to  teach,  as  by  his  indefatigable  paines  both  with  liis  own  flock,  and  the 
poore  Indians  doth  appeare,  whose  language  he  learned  piu-posely  to  helpe 
them  to  the  knowledge  of  God  in  Christ,  frequently  Preaching  in  their 
Wigwams,  and  Catechizing  their  children. 

The  building  was  undoubtedly  small  and  oblong  and  at 
first  without  shingles  or  plaster,  with  a  thatched  roof,  and 
without  gallery,  pew  or  spire.  Probably  similar  to  Dedham 
in  dimensions,  that  being  thirty-six  feet  long,  twenty  feet 
wide  and  twelve  feet  high. 

In  other  towns  the  inhabitants  were  called  to  meeting  by 
beat  of  drum,  and  no  doubt  this  custom  prevailed  here. 

The  people  sat  on  plain  benches,  men  and  women  apart, 
on  their  respective  sides  of  the  house,  while  the  boys  had  a 
place  separate  from  both  with  a  tything  man  to  keep  them  in 
order.  Two  services  were  held  on  Sunday,  in  the  morning 
and  afternoon,  with  a  short  interval  between.  They  con- 
sisted of  first  a  prayer  by  the  Pastor,  then  the  reading  and 
expounding  of  scripture  by  the  Teacher,  then  the  singing  of  a 


6  THE    FIRST    MEETING    HOUSE 

psalm  in  a  metrical  version  without  instrumental  accom- 
paniment, which  was  dictated  or  lined  by  the  Ruling  Elder, 
and  a  sermon  of  which  the  approved  length  was  an  hour, 
measured  by  an  hour  glass  which  stood  upon  the  pulpit. 
The  services  concluded  with  a  prayer  and  a  blessing  from 
the  teacher. 

Cotton  Mather  describes  the  Officers  of  the  Church  as 
follows : 

The  office  of  pastor  and  teacher  appears  to  be  distinct.  The  pastor's 
special  work  is  to  attend  to  exortation  and  therein  to  administer  a  word  of 
wisdom;  the  teacher  is  to  attend  to  doctrine  and  tlierein  to  administer  a 
word  of  knowledge ;  and  either  of  them  to  administer  the  seals  of  that  cove- 
nant unto  the  dispensation  whereof  they  are  alike  called ;  as  also  to  execute 
the  censures  being  but  a  kind  of  application  of  the  word  the  preaching  of 
which  together  with  the  application  thereof  they  are  alike  charged  withal. 
Forasmuch  as  both  pastors  and  teachers  are  given  by  Christ,  for  the  per- 
fecting of  the  saints,  and  edifying  of  his  body,  which  saints  and  body  of 
Christ  is  his  church,  and  therefore  we  account  pastors  and  teachers  to  be 
both  of  them  church  officers,  and  not  the  pastor  for  the  church  and  the 
teacher  only  for  the  schools,  tho'  this  we  gladly  acknowledge  that  schools 
are  both  lawful,  profitable  and  necessary  for  the  training  up  of  such  in  good 
literature  or  learning  as  may  afterwards  be  called  forth  into  office  of  pastor 
or  teacher  in  the  church. 

The  ruling  elder's  office  is  distinct  from  the  office  of  pastor  and  teacher. 
The  rufing  elders  are  not  so  called  to  exclude  the  pastors  and  teachers  from 
ruling,  because  ruling  and  governing  is  common  to  these  with  the  other, 
whereas  attending  to  preach  and  teach  the  word  is  peculiar  unto  the 
former. 

The  ruling  elder's  work  is  to  join  with  the  pastor  and  teacher  in  those  acts 
of  spiritual  rule  which  are  distinct  from  the  ministry  of  the  word  and  sacra- 
ments committed  to  them  of  which  sort  these  be  as  followeth. 

1.  To  open  and  shut  the  doors  of  God's  house  by  the  admission  of 
members  approved  by  the  church,  by  ordination  of  officers  chosen  by  the 
chiu-ch  and  by  excommunication  of  notorious  and  obstinate  offenders 
renounced  by  the  church,  and  by  restoring  of  penitents  forgiven  by  the 
church. 

2.  To  call  the  chiu"ch  together  when  there  is  occasion  and  seasonably  to 
dismiss  them  again. 

3.  To  prepare  matters  in  private  that  in  pubUck  they  may  be  carried  an 
end  with  less  trouble  and  more  speedy  dispatch. 


THE    FIRST    MEETING    HOUSE 


4.  To  moderate  the  carriage  of  all  matters  in  the  church  assembled,  as 
to  propound  matters  to  the  church.  To  order  the  season  of  speech  and 
silence  and  to  pronounce  sentence  according  to  the  mind  of  Christ  with  the 
consent  of  the  church. 

5.  To  be  guides  and  leaders  to  the  church  in  all  matters  whatsoever  par- 
taining  to  church  administrations  and  actions. 

6.  To  see  that  none  in  the  church  live  inordinately,  out  of  rank  and  place 
without  a  calling  or  idlely  in  their  caUing. 

7.  To  prevent  and  heal  such  offences  in  life  or  in  doctrine  as  might  corrupt 
the  chm-ch. 

8.  To  feed  the  flock  of  God  with  a  word  of  admonition. 

9.  And  as  they  shall  be  sent  for  to  visit  and  pray  over  their  sick 
brethren. 

10.    And  at  other  times  as  opportunity  shall  serve  thereunto. 

The  office  of  a  deacon  is  instituted  in  the  church  by  the  Lord  Jesus: 
Sometimes  they  are  called  helps.  The  scriptures  telleth  us  how  they 
should  be  qualified.  Grave,  not  double-tongued,  not  given  to  much  wine, 
not  given  to  filthy  lucre.  They  must  first  be  proved,  and  then  use  the 
office  of  a  deacon,  being  found  blameless.  The  office  and  work  of  a  deacon 
is  to  receive  the  offerings  of  the  church,  gifts  given  to  the  church  and  to 
keep  the  treasury  of  the  church  and  therewith  to  serve  the  tables,  which 
the  church  is  to  provide  for:  as  the  Lord's  table,  the  table  of  the  minis- 
ters, and  of  such  as  are  in  necessity,  to  whom  they  are  to  distribute  in 
simplicity. 

The  office  therefore  being  limited  unto  the  care  of  the  temporal  good 
things  of  the  church,  it  extends  not  to  the  attendance  upon  and  administra- 
tion of  the  spiritual  things  thereof,  as  the  word  and  sacraments  and  the 
like. 

The  ordinance  of  the  apostle  and  practice  of  the  church,  commends  the 
Lord's  day  as  a  fit  time  for  the  contributions  of  the  saints. 

At  first  ministers  were  provided  for  by  voluntary  con- 
tributions, but  soon  other  methods  were  employed  and  the 
salary  was  raised  by  taxation  or  in  other  ways.  In  the 
earliest  times  ministers  were  ordained  by  officers  of  the 
church,  but  later  other  churches  were  asked  to  assist. 

Children  were  baptised  in  the  meeting  house,  generally 
on  the  next  Sunday  after  their  birth.  Ministers  did  not 
officiate  at  marriages  and  no  religious  service  took  place  at 
the  burial  of  the  dead. 

Persons  were  admitted  to  the  church  after  owning  the 


8  THE    FIRST    MEETING    HOUSE 

covenant,  but  not  always  at  once  to  full  communion.  And 
often  they  were  excommunicated  for  some  offence  and  upon 
repentance  received  again  into  the  church.  In  those  days 
the  discipline  of  the  church  was  severe  and  even  the  min- 
isters were  not  exempt. 

Lechford  in  "Plain  Dealings"  tells  us: 

That  the  most  persons  at  New  England  are  not  admitted  of  their  church, 
and  therefore  are  not  freemen,  and  when  they  come  to  be  tried  there,  be  it 
for  life  or  limb  name  or  estate,  or  whatsoever,  they  must  be  tried  and  judged 
too  by  those  of  the  church  who  are  in  a  sort  their  adversaries. 

A  slight  relaxation  was  admitted  in  a  few  years  by  which 
non-members  were  empowered  to  serve  as  jurymen  and  to 
vote  at  town  meetings  in  laying  down  taxes  and  choosing 
selectmen,  but  the  severe  policy  was  retained  as  a  whole  until 
1665. 

A  lecture  was  regularly  preached  on  some  secular  day  of 
every  week.  All  the  established  periodical  festivals,  Christ- 
mas, Easter,  etc.,  were  disregarded,  but  fast  days  and  days 
of  public  thanksgiving  or  humiliation  were  frequent  and 
religiously  kept. 

In  1634,  it  being  found  that  the  four  lectures  did  spend 
too  much  time,  the  ministers  with  the  advice  of  the  magis- 
trates, and  with  the  consent  of  their  congregations  did  agree 
to  reduce  them  to  two  days.  Mr.  Warham  at  Dorchester 
one  4tii  day  of  the  week,  and  Mr.  Welde  at  Roxbury  the 
next  4*1^  day. 

In  1634  at  a  meeting  of  the  Assistants  it  was  then  informed 
us  how  Mr.  Eliot,  the  teacher  of  the  church  of  Roxbury,  had 
taken  occasion  in  a  sermon,  to  speak  of  the  peace  with  the 
Pekods,  and  to  lay  some  blame  upon  the  ministry  for  pro- 
ceeding therein,  without  consent  of  the  people,  and  for  other 
failings  as  he  conceived,  we  took  order  that  he  should  be 
dealt  with  by  Mr.   Cotton,  Mr.  Hooker  and  Mr.  Welde. 


THE     FIRST     MEETING    HOUSE 


After  the  conference  with  Mr.  Ehot  he  was  brought  to 
acknowledge  his  error. 

Oct.  7,  1636  the  General  Court  met  here  having  adjourned 
from  Cambridge  on  account  of  the  small-pox. 

In  regard  to  the  followers  of  Ann  Hutchinson  in  1637, 
Winthrop  says,  "the  town  of  Roxbury  is  required  to  take 
order  for  the  safe  custody  of  Mrs.  Hutchinson"  and  it  is 
said  that  she  was  committed  to  the  personal  care  of  Joseph 
Weld,  the  brother  of  the  minister.  The  church  at  Roxbury 
dealt  with  divers  of  their  members  (who  had  their  hands  to 
the  petition  in  regard  to  Mrs.  Hutchinson)  and  spent  many 
days  in  public  meetings  to  have  them  to  see  their  sin,  in 
that,  as  in  also  in  the  corrupt  opinions,  which  they  held,  but 
could  not  prevail  with  them.  So  they  proceeded  to  two  or 
three  admonitions,  and  when  all  was  in  vain,  they  cast  them 
out  of  the  church.  In  their  dealings  with  them  they  took 
some  of  them  in  plain  lies,  and  other  foul  distempers. 

All  town  business  was  transacted  in  the  meeting  house, 
and  all  matters  relating  to  the  church  were  acted  upon  in 
town  meeting. 

Maverick,  in  his  description  of  New  England,  says,  in 
speaking  of  Roxbury,  "  by  farming  is  their  most  subsistence. " 
William  Ward  says,  "  The  inhabitants  being  all  very  rich. " 

The  church  prospered  under  the  united  labors  of  Mr. 
Welde  and  Mr.  Eliot,  and  they  worked  together  in  harmony 
until  Mr.  Welde  returned  to  England  in  1641,  and  the  church 
was  without  a  Pastor  until  Rev.  Mr.  Samuel  Danforth  was 
ordained  Sept.  24,  1650. 

Sept.  1, 1644  Wee  had  a  solemn  and  public  fast  throughout 
ye  jurisdiction. 

The  relation  and  interest  of  the  members  of  this  church  to 
the  "Free  Schoole  in  Roxburie,"  now  more  generally  known 
as  the  "Roxbury  Latin  School,"  can  best  be  told  by  what 


It)  THE    FIRST    MEETING    HOUSE 

is  found  in  the  document  of  the  earliest  date  in  possession  of 
the  Trustees  and  dated  "last  of  August,  1645." 

Whereas  the  Inhabitantes  of  Roxbury  in  consideration  of  their  relligeous 
care  of  posteritie,  have  taken  into  consideration  how  necessarie  the  education 
of  theire  children  in  Literature  will  be  to  fitt  them  for  public  service,  both 
in  Church  and  Commonwealthe,  in  succeding  ages.  They  therefore  unani- 
mously have  consented  and  agreed  to  erect  a  free  schoole  in  the  said  Towne 
of  Roxburie,  and  to  allow  Twenty  pounds  per  aimum  to  the  Schoolemaster, 
to  bee  raised  out  of  the  Messuages  and  part  of  the  Lands  of  the  severall 
donors  (Inhabitantes  of  the  said  Towne)  in  severall  proportions  as  hereafter 
followeth  under  theire  handes.  And  for  the  well  ordering  thereof  they  have 
chosen  and  elected  seven  Feoffees  who  shall  have  power  to  putt  in  or  remove 
the  Schoolemaster,  etc. 

The  Feoffees  were  John  Eliot,  Joseph  Weld,  John  Johnson, 
John  Roberts,  Joshua  Hewes,  Isaac  Morrell,  Thomas 
Lambe.  Among  the  founders  of  this  school  were  Rev. 
Thomas  Welde,  our  former  Pastor,  Rev.  John  Eliot,  our 
Teacher,  Presiding  Elder  Heath,  Deacon  Parke,  Deacon 
Eliot,  Deacon  Paison  and  of  the  Founders  of  our  church,  John 
Johnson,  Thomas  Lambe,  William  Dennison,  Francis  Smith, 
John  Leavens,  also  Mr.  Thomas  Dudley  and  Daniel  Gookin. 
Thomas  Bell,  a  member  of  our  church,  gave  his  real  estate 
to  the  support  of  the  School  and  in  his  will  mentions  that  the 
Minister  and  two  head  officers  of  the  said  Church  at  Roxbury 
and  their  successors  should  hold  his  estate  in  trust  only  for 
the  maintenance  of  a  schoolemaster  and  free  schoole  for  the 
teaching  and  instructing  of  poore  mens  children  at  Roxbury, 
aforesaid  forever,  and  to  and  for  no  other  use,  intent  or 
purpose  whatsoever.  And  from  that  day  to  this  the  minister 
and  two  senior  Deacons  of  this  church  have  always  been 
members  of  the  Board  of  Trustees. 

In  1646  the  Meeting  House  was  put  in  safe  repaire. 

March  17,  1649/50  a  collection  for  ye  poor  distressed 
church  at  Bahamah  &  yr  was  about  28  pounds  gathered 
in  our  little  congregation. 


THE    FIRST    MEETING    HOUSE  11 

In  1654  the  town  voted  to  build  two  galleries  and  that  the 
selectmen  see  to  it,  and  in  1656  the  ends  were  clapboarded. 
Mr.  Eliot  and  Mr.  Danforth  were  each  of  them  allowed 
£60,  per  annum,  paid  generally  in  corn  or  otherwise  to  their 
content,  cleared  in  accounts  ordinarily  once  in  the  year,  they 
both  having  estate  in  corn  and  cattle. 

Certain  propositions  agreed  upon  and  voted  in  ye  church 
ye  24  of  8mo  1658. 

1.  Infants,  either  of  whose  immediate  parents  are  in  church-covenant, 
do  confederate  in  their  parents  and  therefore  are  members  of  ye  church,  and 
ye  church  ought  to  take  care  that  they  be  duly  instructed  in  the  grounds  of 
religion,  and  be  trained  up  under  ye  tuition  of  ye  ordinances. 

2.  The  seed  of  ye  church  being  thus  trained  up  for  Thrift,  it  is  their  duety 
when  grown  to  yeares  of  discretion  to  owne  the  covenant  their  made  in  their 
parents  and  (being  orderly  called  thereunto)  personally,  pubUckly  and 
solemnely  to  avouch  ye  Lord  in  an  ecclesiacticall  way  to  be  their  God  accord- 
ing to  the  covenant  of  Grace,  and  to  submit  themselves  to  ye  power  and 
govermnent  of  Clirist  in  his  church. 

3.  Such  of  ye  seed  of  ye  church  as  understand  ye  grounds  of  religion,  are 
not  scandelous  and  have  solemnly  owned  ye  covenant  in  their  own  persons 
wherein  they  give  up  themselves  and  their  children  unto  ye  Lord,  their 
children  ought  to  have  baptism  administered  unto  them. 

4.  Though  ye  persons  forementioned  owne  ye  covenant  according  to  ye 
premises,  yet  before  they  are  admitted  unto  full  communion,  i.e.  to  ye  Lords 
Supper  and  to  voting,  they  must  so  hold  forth  their  faith  and  evantances 
unto  ye  judgment  of  charity,  by  way  of  confession,  as  it  may  appear  unto  ye 
church  yt  they  are  able  to  examine  themselves  and  to  discern  ye  Lords  body 
and  to  judge  spiritually  of  spirituall  things. 

5.  Such  as  being  orderly  called  to  owne  ye  covenant,  if  after  church 
admonition  and  other  due  means  with  patience  used,  they  shall  refuse  ye 
performance  of  this  great  duty  or  in  case  they  shall  notwithstanding  like 
meanes  applied,  any  otherwise  continue  scandalous,  they  ought  to  be  cut 
off  from  ye  church. 

The  vote  passed  in  these  words : 

Upon  many  agitations  of  disquisitions  amongst  ourselves,  upon  much 
advice  and  counsell  and  especially  that  of  ye  first  Synod  at  Cambridge 
(1647)  and  ye  late  councill  at  Boston  (1657)  and  after  more  than  ten  years 
time  of  consideration  about  these  points  in  hand,  we,  ye  church  of  Roxbury 


12  THE    FIRST    MEETING    HOUSE 

are  at  last  come  up  to  this  resolution  that  we  judge  in  our  consciences  yt 
those  5  propositions  are  agreeable  to  ye  truth  of  God  and  rules,  wch  we  now 
are  to  walk  by. 

On  the  30th  January  1659/60  it  was  left  to  the  selectmen 
to  repair  the  Meeting  House  and  to  do  as  they  please  for  the 
strength,  warmth  and  beauty  of  said  house,  namely,  that  the 
house  is  to  be  shingled  and  also  two  galleries  built,  with  three 
seats  in  a  gallery,  one  at  the  one  end  of  the  house  and  the 
other  at  the  other  end.  Also  the  house  to  be  plastered  within 
side  with  plaster  and  haire ;  also  for  the  seting  out  of  the  house, 
that  some  pinakle  or  other  ornament  be  set  upon  each  end  of 
the  house;  also  the  bell  to  be  removed  in  some  convenient 
place  for  the  benefit  of  the  town,  and  the  charge  to  be  borne 
by  the  several  inhabitance  by  way  of  a  rate.  For  which  work 
Lieut.  John  Remington  is  to  have  twenty-two  pounds ;  more, 
if  the  worke  deserveth  more;  lesse,  if  the  work  deserveth 
lesse. 

In  1659  John  Chandler  was  to  have  50  shillings  a  year  for 
ringing  the  bell  and  sweeping  and  3  pounds  if  he  would 
"keep  ye  doore  bowlted,"  and  he  continued  to  serve  until 
1669. 

The  5  of  ye  (5)  1659.  This  day  the  Teaching  and  Ruling 
Elders  of  our  church,  as  messengers  of  ye  church  mett  at 
Roxbury,  with  ye  messengers  of  other  churches,  for  to  heare 
the  Indeans  make  a  relation  of  the  work  of  God  upon  ther 
soull;  at  wch  time  ther  weer  six  made  ther  relation  in  the 
Indian  tongue  &  repeated  by  Mr.  Eliat  in  Englesh  witt- 
nessed  unto  ye  truth  of  his  translation  by  Mr.  Pearson  of 
Long  Island  and  Goodman  ffolgier  of  Martin's  Vinyard;  & 
Mr.  Eliat's  own  son.  (This  is  recorded  in  the  Dorchester 
church  records  as  well  as  the  following.) 

The  first  of  ye  (11)  60  ther  was  also  a  fast  kept  at  Roxbury 
on  ther  lecture  day. 


THE    FIRST    MEETING  HOUSE  13 

At  a  Town  Meeting  Jan.  15,  1665/6  it  is  stated,  "the  same 
day  it  being  a  complaint  of  several  of  the  Inhabitance  that 
they  wanted  convenient  Rome  to  sit  in  the  Meeting  House  to 
their  edification  by  reason  of  the  disturbance  the  boys  make 
in  the  Gallery,  and  the  voat  of  the  Towne  is  such  they  desire 
the  selectmen  to  advise  with  the  elders  about  removing  the 
boys,  or  building  some  other  Gallery,  or  making  another 
paier  stayers  or  doing  anything  that  may  be  the  best  Good 
for  the  whole. " 

8th.  9  m.  1665  a  solemn  thanksgiving. 

22.  9  m.  1665  A  solenm  Fast  in  reference  to  ye  sickness  in 
England. 

In  Jan.  1666/7,  "  it  was  voated  for  making  more  Rome  in 
the  Meeting  House,  that  there  should  be  another  seate  added 
to  the  men's  Gallery,  and  it  was  left  by  the  same  voate  to  the 
selectmen,  together  with  the  advice  of  the  elders,  to  consider 
of  the  making  another  paier  stayers  to  the  said  gallery,  or 
doeing  anything  else  that  way  as  may  conduce  to  the  good 
of  the  whole  body  for  the  end  above  expressed. " 

April  6,  1666.  All  the  churches  in  this  jurisdiction  kept 
a  solenm  day  of  Fasting  and  Prayer. 

Jolm  Alcocke  in  his  will  dated  May  10,  1666,  says,  "  I  give 
to  ye  church  of  X*  in  Roxbury  £3  to  buy  them  a  good  wine 
boule." 

1st  nio  21.  1666/7.  This  day  our  church  made  a  collection 
for  Mr.  Wigglesworth  £4  17*. 

8*^  2  mo  1667.  Our  church  made  a  collection  for  the 
relief  of  our  brethren  and  countrymen  who  were  reduced  to 
extremities  at  Cape  Feare.  The  sum  was  about  seven 
pounds. 

In  1669  William  Cleaves  was  appointed  sexton  and  served 
until  1677. 

1670  4  mo  20  day.     A  solemn  conference  of  6  churches. 


14  THE    FIRST    MEETING    HOUSE 

viz:  ye  elders  and  messengers  of  ye  First  Church  in  Boston, 
of  Roxbury,  of  Dorchester,  Weymouth,  Cambridge  and 
Watertown,  met  at  Braintree  at  ye  request  of  ye  church 
there,  for  ye  hearing  and  ye  heahng  of  their  divisions  and 
distractions,  in  reference  to  ye  choice  of  Teaching  Elders 
amongst  them. 

On  Dec.  16,  1672,  the  Selectmen  made  a  church  rate  for 
the  payment  of  the  Elders  which  amounted  to  ^£120.12.3  and 
the  surplus  was  left  in  the  hands  of  the  Deacons. 

In  this  Meeting  House  the  people  worshipped  for  forty 
years.  Many  of  the  first  settlers  were  dead  or  had  moved 
away  and  their  children  were  now  heads  of  families. 

The  population  of  the  town  having  increased  to  such  an 
extent  that  a  larger  house  of  worship  was  necessary  and  this 
Meeting  House  being  constantly  in  need  of  repairs,  on  Decem- 
ber 10,  1672,  there  was  a  full  towne  meeting  in  consultation 
about  repairing  of  the  meeting-house  and  it  was,  "  after  much 
debate  with  love  and  condescending  one  to  another,  con- 
cluded by  voate  to  build  a  nue  meeting-house  as  near  the 
other  as  conveniently  may  be,"  provided  it  exceed  not  ten 
rods  from  this  spot  where  it  now  stands.  A  committee  was 
chosen  to  have  charge  of  this  important  affair  some  time 
during  the  following  year  and  in  1674  this  building  was  torn 
down  and  a  new  meeting-house  erected. 


REV.    MR.   THOMAS    WELDE  15 


'      REV.    MR.    THOJVIAS   AVELDE 

Thomas  Welde  was  born  in  Terling,  four  miles  west  of 
Witham  in  Essex  county,  England.  He  was  educated  at 
Trinity  College,  Cambridge,  receiving  the  degree  of  A.B.  in 
1613,  and  A.M.  in  1618  and  then  settled  in  the  ministry  in 
his  native  place.  Here  he  received  into  his  family  the  Rev. 
Thomas  Shepard  six  months  before  the  latter  took  his  degree 
at  Cambridge,  and  later  when  the  persecutions  of  Archbishop 
Laud  were  driving  many  across  the  water,  Welde  and  Shepard 
consulted  together  whether  it  were  best  to  let  such  a  swine 
root  up  God's  plant  in  Essex  and  not  give  him  some  check. 
But  they  both  incurred  the  penalties  of  the  laws  against  non- 
conformists and  followed  their  brethren  to  New  England. 

Welde  arrived  in  Boston  in  the  William  and  Francis,  June 
5,  163!2,  and  after  many  importunings  and  days  of  humiliation 
by  those  of  Boston  and  Roxbury,  to  seek  the  Lord  for  Mr. 
Welde,  his  disposing,  and  the  advice  of  those  at  Plymouth 
being  taken,  at  length  he  resolved  to  sit  doen  with  them  at 
Roxbury  and  was  ordained  Pastor  of  this  church  in  July, 
1632. 

He  took  the  oath  of  freeman  Nov.  6,  1632. 

Mr.  Welde  was  valiant  in  the  faith,  a  defender  of  the  truth 
and  of  the  churches  in  this  land  both  in  the  pulpit  and  with 
his  pen.  His  own  honest  convictions  and  principles  led  him 
to  take  an  active  part  in  religious  controversies.  He  was 
very  popular  with  the  Magistrates  and  was  often  consulted 
in  political  matters.  He  was  one  of  the  chief  inquisitors  at 
the  trial  of  Ann  Hutchinson,  who,  after  her  conviction,  was 
banished  and  her  followers  disarmed. 

In  1639  he  assisted  his  colleague  and  Richard  Mather  in 
making  the  New  England  version  of  the  Psalms.     In  1641 


16  THE    FIRST    MEETING    HOUSE 

the  colony  thought  fit  to  send  a  commission  to  England  to 
negotiate  various  matters,  and  their  choice  fell  upon  Mr. 
Welde,  Hugh  Peters  and  William  Hibbens.  The  Court  so 
moved  the  church  of  Roxbury  for  Mr.  Welde  that  after 
some  time  of  consideration  they  freely  yielded.  He  went  by 
the  way  of  Newfoundland,  where  he  preached  to  the  seamen 
and  thence  took  passage  to  England  in  a  fishing  vessel. 

Mr.  Hibbens  returned  home  within  a  year,  but  Mr.  Welde 
and  Mr.  Peters  prolonged  their  stay  until  they  seem  to  have 
suffered  no  little  suspicion  from  the  General  Court.  In 
Oct.,  1645,  the  Court  adopted  a  vote  "that  Mr.  Peters  and 
Mr.  Welde,  having  been  long  absent,  may  understand  the 
Court's  mind,  that  they  desire  their  presence  here  and 
speedy  return. "  But  neither  came.  Mr.  Welde  was  after- 
wards settled  over  St.  Mary's  Church  at  Gateshead  in  the 
bishoprick  of  Durham  opposite  Newcastle. 

Mr.  Welde  was  twice  married  (1)  to  Margaret (2)  to 

Judith. Rev.  Samuel  Danforth  thus  records  his  death  in 

the  church  book.  "  March  23  (60)  Mr.  Thomas  Welde  some- 
time Pastor  to  this  church  dyed  in  London." 

While  ill  Roxbury  he  lived  east  of  the  town  street  not  far 
from  the  present  corner  of  Washington  and  Dudley  Streets. 
In  Eliot's  letters  to  England  we  find  him  soliciting  aid  to 
enable  him  to  purchase  Welde's  library,  from  which  it  may 
be  inferred  that  he  was  well  supplied  with  literary  tools. 

He  published  about  1644  "A  short  Story  of  the  rise,  reign 
and  ruin  of  the  Antinomians,  Familists  and  Libertines,  that 
infested  the  churches  of  New  England. "  With  three  other 
ministers  he  wrote  "The  Perfect  Pharisee  under  Monkish 
Holiness, "  against  the  Quakers.  He  was  also  the  author  of 
"The  Fallen  Jew  Detected,"  against  a  man  who  pretended 
to  be  first  a  Jew  and  then  an  Anabaptist,  and  "  A  Vindication 
of  the  New  England  Churches. " 


REV.    MR.   JOHN    ELIOT  17 


REV.  MR.  JOHN  ELIOT 

John  Eliot,  who  has  been  known  since  his  death  as  the 
Apostle  to  the  Indians,  was  a  son  of  Bennett  and  Lettese 
(Aggar)  Eliot  and  was  born  in  Widford,  Hertfordshire, 
England  in  1604  &  baptised  Aug.  5,  1604  in  the  Parish 
Church,  Widford,  in  which  his  parents  were  married  Oct. 
30,  1598.  In  the  old  record  book  one  reads  in  letters  quite 
distinct,  "Anno  Dm:  1604  John  Elliott,  the  sonne  of  Bennett 
Eliot  was  baptised  the  5th  day  of  August  in  the  year  of  our 
Lord  God  1604. " 

His  parents  early  imparted  to  him  religious  instruction, 
and  it  was  not  without  effect.  His  father  held  lands  in  both 
Hertfordshire  and  Essex  from  the  profits  of  which  the  sum 
of  8  pounds  yearly  was  set  apart  by  will,  Nov.  5,  1621,  for 
the  maintenance  of  John  at  college.  On  March  20,  1619, 
John  Eliot  was  entered  as  a  pensioner  at  Jesus  College  in 
Cambridge  where  he  was  graduated  in  1622  with  the  degree 
of  bachelor  of  arts. 

After  receiving  his  education  he  was  for  some  time  the 
instructor  of  youth.  Rev.  Thomas  Hooker,  who  afterwards 
became  the  first  minister  of  the  church  in  Cambridge  (then 
called  Newtown),  New  England  and  later  the  founder  of  the 
church  in  Hartford,  Conn.,  was  at  this  time  a  silenced  non- 
conformist minister.  He  had  established  a  grammar  school 
at  Little  Baddow  in  Essex,  In  this  school  Mr.  Eliot  was 
employed  as  an  assistant  teacher.  This  connection  with  Mr. 
Hooker  proved  a  great  blessing  to  young  Eliot.  His  example 
and  instruction  confirmed  Eliot  in  the  belief  and  practice  of 
Christianity.  "When  I  came  to  this  blessed  family,"  said 
he,  "I  then  saw  as  never  before,  the  power  of  godliness  in 
its  lively  vigor  and  efficacy."     He  here  resolved  to  devote 


18  THE    FIRST    MEETING    HOUSE 

himself  to  the  work  of  the  Christian  ministry.  This  he  did 
when  there  was  nothing  in  prospect  for  a  Puritan  minister 
but  fines  and  imprisonments. 

It  was  this  that  turned  his  thoughts  towards  this  Western 
wilderness.  With  a  mind  made  up  to  endure  the  perils 
of  the  wilderness  he  embarked  on  board  the  ship  Lyon 
reaching  Boston  November  S^d,  1631.  The  Company  that 
came  with  him  consisted  of  sixty  persons,  among  this  number 
were  the  wife  and  children  of  Governor  Winthrop.  Eliot 
left  behind  him  in  England  (as  Mather  quaintly  describes 
her)  a  virtuous  young  gentlewoman,  Hanna  (Anna)  Mum- 
ford  (or  Mountfort),  whom  he  had  pursued  and  proposed  a 
marriage  unto;  and  she  coming  hither  the  year  following, 
that  marriage  was  consummated  September  ¥^,  A.D.  1632 
(the  first  record  of  a  marriage  in  Roxbury). 

Mrs.  Eliot  has  not  received  that  attention  from  her  hus- 
band's biographers  of  which  she  is  worthy.  From  the 
incidental  references  in  Cotton  Mather's  memoir  of  the 
Apostle  a  concise  account  of  Mrs.  Eliot  may  be  gleaned.  In 
the  church  records,  after  giving  a  list  of  their  children,  he  has 
written  her  name  in  a  line  by  itself,  as  a  member  of  his  church, 
thus: 

"  Mris.  Ann  Eliot,  the  wife  of  Mr.  John  Eliot. " 

That  one  wife  which  was  given  to  him  truly  from  the  Lord, 
he  loved,  prized,  cherished,  with  a  kindness  that  notably 
represented  the  compassion  which  he  (thereby)  taught  his 
church  to  expect  from  the  Lord  Jesus  Christ;  and  after  he 
had  lived  with  her  for  more  than  half  an  hundred  years,  for 
she  died  March  24,  1687  in  the  84*^  year  of  her  age,  he  thus 
speaks  of  her  death.  "lys  year  my  ancient  dearly  beloved 
wife  dyed.  I  was  sick  to  death,  but  the  Lord  was  pleased  to 
delay  me,  and  keepe  in  (i.e.  retain)  my  service  wch  was  but 
poore  and  weak."     "How  beautiful  and  touching  is  this 


REV.   MR.  JOHN    ELIOT  19 

simple  eulogy  of  the  Apostle  on  his  departed  wife  —  a 
tribute  more  eloquent  to  the  heart,  than  ever  any  that  soiled 
the  published  page  of  ostentatious  grief."  The  popular 
affection  for  Mrs.  Eliot's  character  and  memory  is  beautifully 
illustrated  by  the  following  incident.  A  considerable  sum 
of  money  had  been  contributed  to  redeem  Mr.  William 
Bowen,  a  fellow  townsman,  from  captivity  among  the  Turks, 
but  news  of  his  death  arriving  "about  the  time  Good  oald 
Mrs.  Eliot  lay  at  the  point  of  death,"  it  was  devoted  to  the 
erection  of  a  ministerial  tomb,  and  resolved  that  Mrs.  Eliot, 
"for  the  great  service  she  had  done  for  the  town,"  should  be 
honored  with  a  burial  there;  "  but, "  says  the  relator,  "  before 
the  Tomb  was  finished  the  good  oald  gentlewoman  was 
dead,"  and  she  was  committed  to  its  sacred  care,  "wherein 
was  never  man  yet  laid. "  There  mingles  with  her  dust  that 
of  her  descendants  for  many  generations. 

By  her  did  God  give  him  six  worthy  children,  children  of 
a  character  which  may  forever  stop  the  mouths  of  those  anti- 
christian  blasphemers  who  have  set  a  false  brand  of  disaster 
and  infamy  on  the  offspring  of  a  married  clergy.  By  the 
prudent  management  of  his  wife,  who  looked  well  to  the 
ways  of  her  household,  Eliot  was  enabled  to  be  generous  to 
his  friends,  and  hospitable  to  strangers,  and  with  a  small 
salary  to  educate  four  sons  at  Harvard  College,  of  whom  John 
and  Joseph,  ministers  of  Newton  and  Guilford,  were  the  best 
preachers  of  that  age,  Samuel  who  died  early  in  life  and 
Benjamin  born  Jan.  29,  1646.  This  Benjamin  was  made 
the  son  of  his  right  hand,  for  the  invitation  of  the  good 
people  of  Roxbury  placed  him  in  the  same  pulpit  with  his 
father,  where  he  was  his  assistant  for  many  years  but  died 
before  his  father. 

His  family  was  a  little  Bethel  for  the  worship  of  God 
constantly  and  exactly  maintained  in  it;  and  unto  the  daily 


20  THE    FIRST    MEETING    HOUSE 

prayers  of  the  family,  his  manner  was  to  prefix  the  reading 
of  the  scripture;  which  being  done,  it  was  also  his  manner 
to  make  his  young  people  to  chuse  a  certain  passage  in  the 
chapter  and  give  him  some  observation  of  their  own  upon  it. 
By  this  method  he  did  mightily  sharpen  and  improve,  as 
well  as  try  their  understandings,  and  endeavor  to  make  them 
wise  unto  salvation.  He  was  likewise  very  strict  in  the 
education  of  his  children,  and  more  careful  to  mend  any 
error  in  their  hearts  and  lives,  than  he  could  have  been  to 
cure  a  blemish  in  their  bodies.  No  exorbitancies  or  extrava- 
gancies could  find  a  room  under  his  roof,  nor  was  his  house 
any  other  than  a  school  of  piety;  one  might  have  there  seen 
a  perpetual  mixture  of  a  Spartan  and  a  Christian  discipline. 
Whatever  decay  there  might  be  upon  family  religion  among 
us,  as  for  our  Eliot,  we  knew  him,  that  he  would  command 
his  children,  and  his  household  after  him,  that  they  should 
keep  the  way  of  the  Lord. 

What  estate  he  became  owner  of  was  from  the  blessing  of 
God  upon  the  husbandry  and  industry  of  some  in  his  family, 
rather  than  from  any  endeavours  of  his  own.  Once  when 
there  stood  several  kine  of  his  own  before  the  door,  his  wife, 
to  try  him,  asked  him  "whose  they  were.'^"  and  she  found 
that  he  knew  nothing  of  them.  He  could  not  endure  to 
plunge  himself  into  secular  designs  and  affairs,  but  accounted 
Sacerdos  in  foro  as  worthy  of  castigation  as  Mercator  in 
Templo ;  he  thought  that  minister  and  market  man  were  not 
unisons,  and  that  the  earth  was  no  place  for  Aarons  holy 
mitre  to  be  laid  upon.  His  apparel,  says  Mather,  was  with- 
out any  ornament  except  that  of  humility.  Had  you  seen 
him  with  his  leathern  girdle  (for  such  a  one  he  wore)  about 
his  loins,  you  would  almost  have  thought  what  Herod  feared, 
that  John  Baptist  was  come  to  life  again. 

In  his  manner  of  living  he  was  very  simple.     The  meat 


REV.   MR.  JOHN    ELIOT  21 

upon  which  he  hved  was  a  cibus  simplex,  an  homely  but  an 
wholesome  diet.  Rich  varieties,  costly  viands  and  poignant 
sauces,  came  not  upon  his  table,  and  when  he  found  them  on 
other  men's  he  rarely  tasted  of  them.  One  dish  and  a  plain 
one  was  his  dinner;  and  when  invited  unto  a  feast  a  friend 
has  seen  him  sit  magnifying  of  God,  for  the  plenty  which  his 
people  in  this  wilderness  were  within  a  few  years  arisen  to; 
but  not  more  than  a  bit  or  two  of  all  the  dainties  taken  into 
his  own  mouth  all  the  while.  And  for  a  supper,  he  had 
learned  of  his  loved  and  blessed  patron,  old  Mr.  Cotton, 
either  wholly  to  omit  it,  or  to  make  a  small  sup  or  two  the 
utmost  of  it.  The  drink  which  he  still  used  was  very  small ; 
he  cared  not  for  wines  or  drams,  and  I  believe  he  never  once 
in  all  his  life  knew  what  it  was  to  feel  so  much  as  a  noxious 
fume  in  his  head,  from  any  of  them;  good  clear  water  was 
more  precious,  as  well  as  more  usual  with  him,  than  any  of 
those  liquors  with  which  men  do  so  frequently  spoil  their  own 
healths,  while  perhaps  they  drink  those  of  other  men.  When 
at  a  stranger's  house  in  the  summer  time,  he  has  been  enter- 
tained with  a  glass,  which  they  told  him  was  of  water  and 
wine,  he  has  with  a  complaisant  gravity  replied  unto  this 
purpose,  "Wine,  'tis  a  noble  generous  liquor,  and  we 
should  be  humbly  thankful  for  it;  but  as  I  remember, 
water  was  made  before  it."  His  house  stood  where  the 
People's  Bank  now  stands,  at  the  corner  of  Washington  and 
Dudley  Streets. 

We  now  turn  to  his  public  life.  As  before  stated  he 
arrived  in  Boston  Nov.  3,  1631,  and  soon  joined  himself  unto 
the  Church  at  Boston ;  'twas  church  work  that  was  his  errand 
hither.  Mr.  Wilson,  the  pastor  of  that  church,  was  gone  back 
into  England,  that  he  might  perfect  the  settlement  of  his 
affairs;  and  in  his  absence  young  Mr.  Eliot  was  he  that 
supplied  his  place.     Upon  the  return  of  Mr.  Wilson,  that 


22  THE   FIRST   MEETING   HOUSE 

church  was  intending  to  have  made  Mr.  Eliot  his  colleague 
and  their  teacher ;  but  it  was  diverted  and  a  church  being  now 
gathered  at  Roxbrough,  now  Roxbury,  according  to  an 
agreement  with  his  Nazing  friends,  he  was  ordained  unto 
the  teaching  and  ruling  of  that  holy  society  Nov.  5,  1632,  as 
colleague  to  Rev.  Mr.  Welde,  with  the  title  of  Teacher,  Mr. 
Welde  being  the  Pastor  of  the  Church.  These  two  ministers 
lived  together  in  much  harmony. 

So  it  was  in  the  orb  of  that  church  that  we  had  him  as  a 
star  fixed  for  very  near  three  score  years.  He  that  will  write 
of  Eliot,  must  write  of  charity,  or  say  nothing.  His  charity 
was  a  star  of  the  first  magnitude  in  the  bright  constellation 
of  his  virtues:  and  the  rays  of  it  were  wonderfully  various 
and  extensive.  His  liberality  to  pious  uses  whether  publick 
or  private  went  much  beyond  the  proportions  of  his  little 
estate  in  the  world.  Many  hundreds  of  pounds  did  he  freely 
bestow  upon  the  poor;  and  he  would  with  a  very  forcible 
importunity  press  his  neighbors  to  join  with  him  in  such 
beneficences.  It  was  a  marvellous  alacrity  with  which  he 
embraced  all  opportunities  of  relieving  any  that  were  miser- 
able; and  the  good  people  of  Roxbury  doubtless  cannot 
remember  (but  the  righteous  God  will),  how  often  and  with 
what  ardors,  with  what  arguments,  he  became  a  beggar  to 
them  for  collections  in  their  assemblies,  to  support  such 
needy  objects  as  had  fallen  under  his  observation.  The 
poor  counted  him  their  father,  and  repaired  still  unto  him, 
with  a  filial  confidence  in  their  necessities;  and  there  were 
more  than  seven  or  eight,  or  indeed  than  so  many  scores  who 
received  their  portions  of  his  bounty.  He  did  not  put  off 
his  charity,  to  be  put  in  his  last  will;  but  he  was  his  own 
administrator.  He  made  his  own  hands  his  executors,  and 
his  own  eyes  his  overseers. 

In  1634  Mr.  Eliot  incurred  the  displeasure  of  the  colonial 


REV.   MR.  JOHN   ELIOT  23 

magistrates  by  a  sermon  in  which  he  criticised  their  conduct 
in  making  a  treaty  with  the  Pequot  Indians  without  first 
obtaining  the  consent  of  the  people.  For  these  injudicious 
animadversions  he  was  required  to  make  a  pubhc  apology. 
In  1637  both  he  and  Mr.  Welde  opposed  the  wild  notions  of 
Mrs.  Hutchinson  and  were  both  witnesses  against  her  at  her 
trial.  In  1639  they  were  appointed  with  Rev.  Richard 
Mather,  of  Dorchester,  to  make. a  new  version  of  the  psalms, 
which  was  printed  in  the  following  year.  For  tuneful  poetry 
it  would  not  perhaps  yield  the  palm  even  to  that  of  Sternhold 
and  Hopkins,  but  it  did  not  give  perfect  satisfaction.  Mr. 
Shepard,  of  Cambridge,  thus  addressed  the  translators: 

Ye  Roxbury  poets,  keep  clear  of  the  crime 

Of  missing  to  give  us  very  good  rhyme: 

And  you  of  Dorchester,  yoiu-  verses  lengthen, 

But  with  the  text's  own  words  you  will  them  strengthen. 

It  was  the  first  book  printed  in  the  English-American 
colonies.  The  New  England  Psalms  were  afterwards 
revised  and  improved  by  President  Dunster,  and  they  have 
passed  through  twenty  editions.  In  1641  Mr.  Welde  returned 
to  England. 

To  his  congregation  Mr.  Eliot  was  a  preacher  that  made 
it  his  care  to  give  every  one  their  meat  in  due  season.  It  was 
food  and  not  froth  which  in  his  public  sermons  he  enter- 
tained the  souls  of  his  people  with,  he  did  not  starve  them 
with  empty  and  windy  speculations.  His  way  of  preaching 
was  very  plain;  so  that  the  very  lambs  might  wade  into  his 
discourses  on  those  texts  and  themes  wherein  elephants 
might  swim;  and  herewithal,  it  was  very  powerful,  his  de- 
livery was  always  very  graceful  and  grateful.  It  yet  more 
endears  unto  us  the  memory  of  our  Eliot,  that  he  was  not  only 
an  evangelical  minister,  but  also  a  true  New  England  one; 


24  THE   FIRST   MEETING   HOUSE 

he  was  a  Protestant  and  a  Puritan,  and  one  very  full  of  that 
spirit  which  acted  on  the  first  planters  of  this  country,  in 
their  peaceable  succession  from  the  unwarrantable  things 
elsewhere  imposed  upon  their  consciences.  He  was  a 
modest,  humble,  but  very  reasonable  non-conformist  with 
the  ceremonies,  which  have  been  such  unhappy  apples  of 
strife  in  the  Church  of  England.  There  were  especially  two 
things  which  he  was  loth  to  see,  and  yet  feared  he  saw,  falling 
in  the  churches  of  New  England.  One  was  a  thorough 
establishment  of  ruling  elders  in  our  churches,  which  he 
thought  sufficiently  warranted  by  the  apostle's  mention  of 
elders  that  rule  well,  who  yet  labour  not  in  word  and  doctrine. 
He  was  very  desirous  to  have  prudent  and  gracious  men  set 
over  our  churches,  for  the  assistance  of  their  pastors,  in  the 
church  acts  that  concern  the  admission  and  exclusion  of 
members,  and  the  inspection  of  the  conversation  led  by  the 
communicant,  and  the  instruction  of  their  several  families, 
and  the  visitation  of  the  afflicted  in  their  flock,  over  which 
they  should  preside.  Such  helps  in  governments  had  he 
himself  been  blessed  withal;  the  last  of  which  was  the  well- 
deserving  Elder  Bowles;  and  of  him,  did  this  good  man,  in  a 
speech  to  a  synod  of  all  the  churches  in  this  colony,  take 
occasion  to  say,  "There  is  my  brother  Bowles,  the  godly 
elder  of  our  church  at  Roxbury,  God  helps  him  to  do  great 
things  among  us:"  Had  all  our  pastors  been  so  well  accom- 
modated, it  is  possible  there  would  be  more  encouragement 
given  to  such  an  office  as  that  of  ruling  elders. 

His  benevolent  labors  were  not  confined  to  his  own  people. 
The  natives  of  the  country  now  possessed  by  the  New  Eng- 
landers  had  been  forlorn  and  wretched  heathen  ever  since 
their  first  herding  here;  and  though  we  know  not  when  or 
how  those  Indians  first  became  inhabitants  of  this  mighty 
continent,  yet  we  may  guess  that  probably  the  devil  decoyed 


REV.   MR.  JOHN   ELIOT  25 

those  miserable  savages  hither  in  hopes  that  the  gospel  of 
the  Lord  Jesus  Christ  would  never  come  here  to  destroy 
or  disturb  his  absolute  empire  over  them.  There  were,  at 
the  time,  when  he  began  his  missionary  exertions,  nearly 
twenty  tribes  of  Indians  within  the  limits  of  the  English 
planters  and  were  very  similar  in  manners,  language  and 
religion. 

Mather  continues,  "I  cannot  find  that  anything  besides 
the  Holy  Spirit  of  God  first  moved  him  to  the  blessed  work  of 
evangelizing  these  perishing  Indians.  It  was  the  spirit  of 
our  Lord  Jesus  Christ  which  enkindled  in  him  a  pitty  for  the 
dark  souls  of  these  natives,  whom  the  God  of  this  world  had 
blinded  through  all  the  by-past  ages.  But  when  this  chari- 
table pitty  had  once  began  to  flame,  there  was  a  concurrence 
of  many  things  to  cast  oyl  into  it.  All  the  good  men  in  the 
country  were  glad  of  his  engagement  in  such  an  undertaking 
the  ministers  especially  encouraged  him,  and  those  in  the 
neighborhood  kindly  supplyed  his  place,  and  performed  his 
work  in  part  for  him  at  Roxbury  while  he  was  abroad  labour- 
ing among  them  that  were  without.  Hereunto  he  was 
further  awakened  by  those  expressions  in  the  royal  charter, 
in  the  assurance  and  protection  whereof  this  wilderness  was 
first  peopled:  namely.  To  win  and  incite  the  natives  of  that 
country  to  the  knowledge  and  obedience  of  the  only  true 
God  and  Saviour  of  mankind,  and  the  christian  faith,  in  our 
royal  intention,  and  the  adventurers  free  profession  is  the 
principal  end  of  the  plantation. "  It  was  among  the  Massa- 
chusetts Indians  that  Mr.  Eliot  began  his  missionary 
labors. 

The  first  step  which  he  judged  necessary  now  to  be  taken 
by  him,  was  to  learn  the  Indian  language,  the  Algonquin 
dialect  being  the  one  spoken  by  the  Indians  of  Massachusetts 
Bay;  for  he  saw  them  so  stupid  and  senseless,  that  they  would 


26  THE   FIRST   MEETING   HOUSE 

never  do  so  much  as  enquire  after  the  rehgion  of  the  strangers 
now  come  into  their  country,  much  less  would  they  so  far 
imitate  us,  as  to  leave  off  their  beastly  way  of  living,  that  they 
might  be  partakers  of  any  spiritual  advantage  by  us,  unless 
we  could  first  address  them  in  a  language  of  their  own. 
This  Massachusetts  tribe  and  its  language  have  long  been 
extinct  and  there  are  few,  if  any,  living  who  can  translate  it. 
He  began  the  study  of  their  language  probably  about  the 
year  1643  or  perhaps  earlier.  In  a  letter  dated  2/12/1648 
he  wrote.  "There  is  an  Indian  living  with  Mr.  Richard 
Calicott,  of  Dorchester,  who  was  taken  in  the  Pequott 
Warres,  though  belonging  to  Long  Island;  this  Indian  is 
ingenious;  can  read;  and  I  taught  him  to  write,  which  he 
quickly  learnt,  though  I  know  not  what  use  he  now  maketh 
of  it.  He  was  the  first  that  I  made  use  of  to  teach  me  words, 
and  to  be  my  Interpreter. " 

At  the  end  of  his  Indian  grammar  (Cambridge  1666)  Mr. 
Eliot  gives  the  following  account  of  his  method  of  learning  the 
language,  "  I  have  now  finished  what  I  shall  do  at  present : 
And  in  a  word  or  two  to  satisfie  the  prudent  Enquirer  how  I 
found  out  these  new  wayes  of  Grammar,  which  no  other 
Learned  Language  (so  farre  as  I  know)  useth ;  I  thus  inform 
him:  God  first  put  into  my  heart  a  compassion  over  their 
poor  Souls,  and  a  desire  to  teach  them  to  know  Christ,  and  to 
bring  them  into  his  Kingdome.  Then  presently  I  found 
out  (by  Gods  wise  providence)  a  pregnant  witted  young 
man,  wlio  had  been  a  Servant  in  an  English  house,  who 
pretty  well  understood  our  Language,  better  than  he  could 
speak  it,  and  well  understood  his  own  Language,  and  hath 
a  clear  pronunciation:  Him  I  made  my  Interpreter.  By 
his  help  I  translated  the  Commandments,  the  Lords  Prayer, 
and  many  Texts  of  Scripture:  also  I  compiled  both  Exhor- 
tations and  Prayers  by  his  help.     I  diligently  marked  the 


REV.   MR.  JOHN   ELIOT  27 

difference  of  their  Grammar  from  ours:  When  I  found  the 
way  of  them,  I  would  pursue  a  Word,  a  Noun,  a  Verb, 
through  all  variations  I  could  think  of.  And  thus  I  came  at 
it.  We  must  not  sit  still,  and  look  for  Miracles;  Up  and 
be  doing,  and  the  Lord  will  be  with  thee.  Prayer  and  Pains, 
through  Faith  in  Christ  Jesus,  will  do  anything. " 

There  is  a  letter  or  two  of  our  alphabet,  which  the  Lidians 
never  had  in  theirs;  though  there  were  enough  of  the  dog  in 
their  temper,  there  can  scarce  be  found  an  R  in  their  language ; 
but  if  their  alphabet  be  short,  I  am  sure  the  words  composed 
of  it  be  long  enough  to  tire  the  patience  of  any  scholar  in  the 
world:  For  instance,  if  my  reader  will  count  how  many 
letters  there  are  in  this  one  word, 

NUMMATCHEKODTANTAMOONGANUNNONASH 

when  he  has  done,  for  his  reward  I'll  tell  him,  it  signifies  no 
more  in  English  than  our  lusts;  and  if  I  were  to  translate, 
our  loves,  it  must  be  nothing  shorter  than, 

NOOWOMANTAMMOONKANUNONNASH. 

Or  to  give  my  reader  a  longer  word  than  either  of  these, 

KUMMOGKODONATTOOLLUMMOOETITEAONGANNUNNONASH 

is  in  English,  our  question. 

In  1646  Mr.  Eliot  began  to  preach  to  the  Indians  in  their 
own  tongue.  About  the  middle  of  September  he  addressed 
a  company  of  the  natives  in  the  wigwam  of  Cutshamoquin, 
the  sachem  of  Neponset,  within  the  limits  of  Dorchester. 
His  next  attempt  was  made  among  the  Indians  of  another 
place,  "those  of  Dorchester  mill  not  regarding  any  such 
thing. "  He  first  preached  to  an  assembly  of  Indians  at 
Nonantum  in  the  present  city  of  Newton  Oct.   28,   1646. 


28  THE   FIRST   MEETING   HOUSE 

The  following  is  the  Inscription  on  the  tablet  erected  near 

the  spot :  — 

Waban       Shephard       Gookin       Heath 
Here  at  Nonantum  Oct.  28,  1646  in  Waban's  Wigwam 
Near  this  spot  John  Eliot  began  to  preach  the  Gospel  to 
the  Indians.     Here  he  founded  the  first  Christian  com- 
munity of  Indians  within  the  EngUsh  Colonies. 

Isaac  Heath,  aged  61  years,  elder  of  the  church  at  Rox- 
bury,  Eliot's  friend  and  counsellor. 

Thomas  Shepard,  aged  41  years,  pastor  of  the  Church  in 
Cambridge. 

Daniel  Gookin,  aged  34  years,  friend  and  companion  of 
Eliot  in  his  work  from  beginning  to  end,  historian  and 
guardian  of  the  Indians. 

After  a  serious  prayer,  he  gave  them  a  sermon  which 
continued  about  a  quarter  above  an  hour,  and  contained  the 
principal  articles  of  the  Christian  religion,  applying  all  to  the 
condition  of  the  Indians  present.  Having  done,  he  asked  of 
them  whether  they  understood,  and  with  a  general  reply  they 
answered,  they  understood  all.  He  then  began  what  was  his 
usual  method  afterwards  in  treating  with  them;  that  is,  he 
caused  them  to  propound  such  questions  as  they  pleased  unto 
himself;  and  he  gave  wise  and  good  answers  to  them  all. 
One  immediately  inquired  whether  Jesus  Christ  could  under- 
stand prayers  in  the  Indian  Language  "^  Another  asked  how 
all  the  world  became  full  of  people,  if  they  were  all  once 
drowned?  A  third  question  was,  how  there  could  be  the 
image  of  God  since  it  was  forbidden  in  the  Commandment. 

He  preached  to  them  a  second  time,  Nov.  11,  and  some  of 
them  wept  while  he  was  addressing  them.  An  old  man 
asked,  with  tears  in  his  eyes,  whether  it  was  not  too  late  for 
him  to  repent  and  turn  unto  God  }  Among  the  other  in- 
quiries were  these  —  how  it  came  to  pass  that  sea  water  was 


REV.   MR.  JOHN   ELIOT  29 

salt  and  river  water  fresh ;  how  the  Enghsh  came  to  differ  so 
much  from  the  Indians  in  the  knowledge  of  God  and  Jesus 
Christ  since  they  all  at  first  had  but  one  father;  and  why  if 
the  water  is  larger  than  the  earth,  it  does  not  overflow  the 
earth  ?  He  was  violently  opposed  by  the  sachems,  and 
pawaws  or  priests,  who  were  apprehensive  of  losing  their 
authority  if  a  new  religion  was  introduced.  When  he  was 
alone  with  them  in  the  wilderness,  they  threatened  him  with 
every  evil,  if  he  did  not  desist  from  his  labors ;  but  he  was  a 
man  not  to  be  shaken  in  his  purpose  by  the  fear  of  danger. 
He  said  to  them,  "  I  am  about  the  work  of  the  great  God,  and 
my  God  is  with  me;  so  that  I  neither  fear  you,  nor  all  the 
sachems  in  the  country.  I  will  go  on,  —  do  you  touch  me, 
if  you  dare. "  With  a  body  capable  of  enduring  fatigue,  and 
a  mind  firm  as  the  mountain  oaks  which  surrounded  his 
path,  he  went  from  place  to  place,  relying  for  protection  upon 
the  great  Head  of  the  Church,  and  declaring  the  salvation  of 
the  gospel  to  the  children  of  darkness.  His  benevolent  zeal 
prompted  him  to  encounter  with  cheerfulness  the  most 
terrifying  dangers,  and  to  submit  to  the  most  incredible 
hardships.  He  says  in  a  letter,  "  I  have  not  been  dry,  night 
or  day,  from  the  third  day  of  the  week  unto  the  sixth;  but 
so  travelled,  and  at  night  pull  off  my  boots  and  wring  my 
stockings,  and  on  with  them  again,  and  so  continue.  But 
God  steps  in  and  helps."  May  26,  1647  the  General  Court 
ordered  that  £10  be  given  Mr.  Eliott  as  a  gratuitie  from  this 
court  in  respect  of  his  paynes  in  instructing  the  Indians  in 
the  knowledge  of  God  also  on  Oct.  27,  1648  (upon  the 
request  of  Mr.  John  Eliot,  pastor  to  the  church  at  Roxbury) 
it  was  ordered  that  none  in  Boston  should  sell  wine  to  the 
Indians  but  W™  Phillipps,  upon  pinnaltie  of  20  to  be  heard 
and  determined  by  any  magistrate  in  case  of  drunkeness. 
Whereas  Mr.  Eliot  undertook  to  procure  to  the  country  ten 


30  THE   FIRST   MEETING   HOUSE 

shillings  from  an  Indian  for  his  being  drunk,  which  Indian 
since  is  dead,  the  Court  therefore  thinks  meete  to  release  Mr. 
Eliot  from  his  engagm*. 

Martin  Moore  says  Mr.  Eliot  found  that  he  could  not  bring 
the  gospel  to  bear  a  steady  and  constant  influence  upon  the 
natives,  unless  they  had  settled  homes  and  constant  employ- 
ment. They  must  abandon  their  roving  and  idle  habits, 
and  become  industrious.  He  despaired  of  Christianizing 
them,  except  he  could  civilize  them.  He  proposed  to  Waban 
and  his  associates  to  settle  a  town  and  conform  themselves 
to  the  rules  of  civilized  society.  They  readily  agreed  to  this 
proposal.  They  selected  a  site  for  their  settlement  in  the 
eastern  part  of  Newton.  The  name  of  their  town  wag 
Nonantum.  In  their  language  it  signified  "rejoicing." 
They  were  furnished  with  shovels,  spades,  crow-bars,  etc. 
They  surrounded  their  fields  with  fences  and  ditches.  They 
called  for  tools  faster  than  Mr.  Eliot  could  procure  them. 
The  women  partook  of  the  general  spirit  of  improvement. 
The  spinning-wheel  was  introduced  into  their  families,  and 
they  were  clothed  with  their  own  fabrics.  They  soon  felt 
the  advantages  of  trafiic.  They  manufactured  many  articles 
and  carried  them  abroad  to  sell.  They  also  labored  among 
their  English  neighbors  in  times  of  hay-getting  and  harvest. 
The  style  of  their  wigwams  was  also  greatly  improved.  The 
wigwams  of  the  common  people  were  equal  to  those  formerly 
erected  for  their  chiefs. 

Mr.  Eliot  had  wished  for  a  long  time  to  establish  a  town, 
modeled  after  a  particular  plan  that  he  had  in  his  own  mind. 
We  should  have  supposed  that  he  would  have  fixed  on 
Nonantum  as  the  spot  for  his  first  town  of  "  Praying  Indians. " 
Some  considerable  improvements  had  already  been  made 
at  this  station.  But  he  had  certain  insuperable  objections 
to  making  this  the  site  of  his  model  town.     The  territory  was 


REV.    MR.   JOHN   ELIOT  31 

too  small.  They  were  surrounded  by  English  neighbors, 
many  of  whom  exerted  a  bad  influence  upon  them.  He 
wished  to  remove  them  into  the  interior,  so  that  they  should 
not  have  much  connection  with  the  white  people,  and  that 
there  might  be  room  to  gather  a  large  body  of  Indians  into  a 
society.  He  wished  to  make  a  fair  experiment  of  civilizing 
the  Indians.  If  he  could  be  successful  in  forming  one  well 
governed.  Christianized  town,  he  hoped  to  form  many  more 
after  the  same  model.  The  converts  at  Nonantum  wished 
very  much  to  be  organized  on  Mr.  Eliot's  plan.  He  went 
out  several  times  to  explore  the  woods,  to  find  a  proper 
location.  He  did  not  find  a  place  that  suited  his  wishes. 
On  returning  from  one  of  these  exploring  tours,  he  stopped 
on  the  way,  retired  behind  a  rock  and  asked  divine  direction. 
While  he  was  gone  out  to  hunt  for  a  location,  his  Indians 
at  home  were  asking  God  to  guide  and  direct  him.  Some  of 
the  Indians  that  were  in  company  with  him  mentioned  a 
place,  the  description  of  which  pleased  him.  Upon  a  careful 
survey,  he  fixed  on  that  spot  as  the  future  location  of  his 
town.  This  place  he  afterwards  called  Natick.  Gookin 
has  very  particularly  described  the  mode  of  laying  out  the 
town.  The  Indians  removed  from  Nonantum  to  Natick  in 
1651.  The  town  Natick  in  the  Indian  language  means  a 
'place  of  hills.  It  consisted  of  three  long  streets;  two  on  the 
Boston  side  of  the  river,  and  one  on  the  other.  To  each 
house  was  attached  a  piece  of  ground.  Most  of  the  houses 
were  built  after  the  Indian  fashion.  One  large  house  was 
erected  in  the  English  style,  the  lower  apartment  of  which 
was  employed  as  a  schoolroom  in  the  week,  and  as  a  place 
of  worship  on  the  Lord's  day.  Afterwards  they  partitioned 
off  a  small  bedroom  for  Mr.  Eliot  to  sleep  in,  when  he 
visited  them.  They  also  erected  a  fort  and  enclosed  it  with 
a  stockade.     Mr.   Eliot  encouraged  them  to   build  a  foot 


32  THE   FIRST   MEETING   HOUSE 

bridge  over  the  river  so  as  to  connect  the  different  parts  of 
the  town.  This  was  a  great  work  for  them;  but  it  stood  the 
spring  floods,  while  a  bridge  built  by  the  English  at  Medfield 
was  carried  away.  This  bridge  was  eighty  feet  long  and  nine 
feet  high  in  the  middle.  When  they  had  finished  it,  Eliot 
called  them  together  and  asked  them  if  they  wanted  pay  for 
their  labor.  They  replied,  "no."  It  was  built  for  their 
own  benefit  and  not  for  his.  They  built  a  meeting  house, 
fifty  by  twenty-five  and  twelve  feet  between  the  joists.  This 
was  built  almost  exclusively  by  themselves.  An  English 
carpenter  helped  them  a  day  or  two. 

After  the  settlement  of  the  town  Mr,  Eliot  proceeded  to 
organize  a  civil  government  according  to  his  own  views.  He 
took  as  the  basis  of  his  government  the  advice  which  Jethro 
gave  to  Moses,  "  Moreover,  thou  shalt  provide  out  of  all  the 
people  able  men,  such  as  fear  God,  men  of  truth,  hating 
covetousness ;  and  place  such  over  them,  to  be  rulers  of 
thousands,  and  rulers  of  hundreds,  rulers  of  fifties,  and  rulers 
of  tens."  Exodus  xviii,  21.  In  compliance  with  this 
counsel,  about  one  hundred  of  them  held  an  assembly  and 
chose  one  ruler  of  the  hundred,  two  rulers  of  fifty  and  ten 
rulers  of  ten.  After  the  rulers  of  ten  were  chosen,  they 
placed  themselves  in  order,  and  every  individual  arranged 
himself  under  the  one  whom  he  chose.  After  the  establish- 
ment of  this  town  he  continued  to  visit  and  preach  to  them 
as  often  as  circumstances  would  admit.  At  this  distance  of 
time,  it  is  not  possible  to  ascertain  definitely  the  progress 
that  they  made  in  the  arts  of  living,  or  in  the  knowledge  and 
practice  of  religion.  There  is  sufficient  evidence  left  behind 
to  show  that  Eliot  was  not  an  enthusiast  as  it  respected  their 
religion.  Although  the  appearance  of  some  was  very  favor- 
able, yet  he  continued  for  a  long  time  to  keep  them  in  the 
situation   of   catechumens.     He   proceeded   very   slowly   in 


REV.   MR.  JOHN   ELIOT  33 

gathering  them  into  a  church  estate.  He  began  to  preach 
to  them  in  1646,  but  did  not  organize  them  into  a  church 
until  1660. 

He  made  a  missionary  tour  every  fortnight,  planted  a 
number  of  churches,  and  visited  all  the  Indians  in  Massa- 
chusetts and  Plymouth  colonies,  pursuing  his  way  as  far  as 
Cape  Cod  in  the  East  to  the  rocky  hillsides  of  Brookfield  in 
the  West.  Mr.  Eliot  was  one  of  the  most  useful  preachers 
in  New  England.  No  minister  saw  his  exertions  attended 
with  greater  effects.  He  spoke  from  the  abundance  of  his 
heart,  and  his  sermons,  being  free  from  that  labored  display 
of  learning,  from  the  quibbles  and  quaint  turns  with  which 
most  discourses  were  at  that  time  infected,  were  acceptable 
in  all  the  churches.  So  much  was  he  endeared  to  his  own 
people  that  they  continued  his  salary  after  he  had  offered  to 
resign  it,  and  when  he  was  unable  to  preach;  and  the  youth 
were  in  the  habit  of  visiting  him,  calling  him  their  father  and 
friend.  Such  attentions  chased  away  the  gloom  which 
usually  hangs  over  the  head  of  the  aged  and  cheered  the 
evening  of  his  life.  His  moral  and  religious  character  was 
as  excellent  as  his  ministerial  qualifications  were  great.  He 
carried  his  good  principles  with  him  in  every  situation, 
viewing  all  things  in  reference  to  God.  He  habitually 
lifted  up  his  heart  for  a  blessing  upon  every  person  whom  he 
met  and  when  he  went  into  a  family  he  would  sometimes 
call  the  youth  to  him  that  he  might  lay  his  hands  upon  them 
and  give  them  his  benediction.  Such  was  his  charity,  that 
he  gave  to  the  poor  Indians  most  of  his  salary  of  fifty  pounds, 
which  he  received  annually  from  the  society  for  propagating 
the  gospel. 

So  remarkable  was  he  for  his  charities,  that  on  one  occasion 
when  the  parish  treasurer  paid  him  the  money  due  for  his 
salary,  he  tied  the  ends  of  a  handkerchief,  into  which  he  put 


34,  THE  FIRST   MEETING  HOUSE 

it,  in  as  many  hard  knots  as  he  could,  to  prevent  him  from 
giving  away  the  money  before  he  should  reach  home.  The 
good  man  immediately  went  to  the  house  of  a  sick  and  neces- 
sitous family  and  told  them  that  God  had  sent  them  some 
relief.  Being  welcomed  by  the  sufferers  with  tears  of  grati- 
tude, he  began  to  untie  the  knots.  After  many  fruitless 
efforts,  and  impatient  of  the  perplexity  and  delay,  he  gave 
the  handkerchief  and  all  the  money  to  the  mother  of  the 
family,  saying,  "Here,  my  dear,  take  it;  I  believe  the  Lord 
designs  it  all  for  you. " 

In  his  principles  of  church  government  he  was  attached 
to  the  Congregational  order.  Yet  he  contended  earnestly 
for  frequent  synods  or  councils,  as  necessary  for  the  preser- 
vation of  union,  for  the  suppression  of  dangerous  opinions 
and  heresies,  for  the  correction  of  abuses,  and  the  healing  of 
divisions.  In  one  of  his  treatises  he  proposed  four  orders 
of  councils,  the  congregational,  provincial,  national  and 
ecumenical.  He  thought  that  every  particular  church 
should  have  ruling  elders  to  assist  the  minister  in  the  duties 
of  government  and  instruction.  In  his  admissions  to  the 
church  he  required  of  the  candidates  some  evidence  that  they 
were  truly  Christians,  renewed  in  their  hearts  by  the  Spirit 
of  God.  He  withstood  the  attempts  which  were  made  to 
change  the  old  practice  of  giving  a  relation  of  the  work  of 
divine  grace,  which  practice,  in  his  view,  honored  the  Saviour, 
and  produced  an  intimate  union  among  his  disciples.  He 
could  not,  in  conscience,  give  the  cup  of  the  Lord  to  anyone 
who  did  not  give  some  evidence  of  being  a  sincere  Christian. 
With  all  his  excellencies  he  had  some  singularities  and 
strange  notions.  He  had  a  most  deep-rooted  prejudice 
against  wigs.  He  preached  against  the  custom  of  wearing 
them ;  he  prayed  against  it ;  he  attributed  to  it  the  evils  which 
overwhelmed    the    country.     He    thought,    as    Dr.    Cotton 


REV.   MR.  JOHN   ELIOT  35 

Mather,  who  himself  wore  a  wig,  informs  us,  "  that  for  men 
to  wear  their  hair  with  a  luxurious,  delicate,  feminine  pro- 
lixity, or  to  disfigure  themselves  with  hair,  which  was  none  of 
their  own,  but  above  all,  for  ministers  of  the  gospel  to  ruflQe 
it  in  excesses  of  this  kind,"  was  an  enormous  sin.  But 
fashion  would  bear  sway,  notwithstanding  his  remonstrances, 
and  he  finally  ceased  to  complain,  saying,  "the  lust  is  become 
insuperable."  His  prejudice  against  tobacco  was  as  strong 
as  his  aversion  to  wigs ;  but  in  contempt  of  all  his  admonitions 
the  hairless  head  would  be  adorned  with  curls  of  foreign 
gro^i;h  and  the  pipe  would  send  up  volumes  of  smoke.  In 
his  old  age,  not  long  before  his  death,  he  used  to  say  that  he 
was  shortly  going  to  heaven  and  would  carry  a  deal  of  good 
news  with  him ;  he  would  carry  tidings  to  the  old  founders  of 
New  England,  that  our  churches  still  remained  and  that  their 
number  was  continually  increasing. 

It  was  with  joy  that  he  received  Mr.  Walter  as  his  col- 
league in  1688.  When  he  was  bending  under  his  infirmities 
and  could  no  longer  visit  the  Indians,  he  persuaded  a  num- 
ber of  families  to  send  their  negro  servants  to  him  once  a 
week,  that  he  might  instruct  them  in  the  truths  of  God. 

On  the  day  of  his  death  he  was  found  teaching  the  alphabet 
to  an  Indian  child  at  his  bedside.  "  Why  not  rest  from  your 
labors  now?"  said  a  friend.  "Because,"  replied  the  vener- 
able man,  "  I  have  prayed  to  God  to  render  me  useful  in  my 
sphere  and  he  has  heard  my  prayer,  for  now  that  I  can  no 
longer  preach  he  leaves  me  still  strength  enough  to  teach  this 
poor  child  his  alphabet. " 

He  died  May  20,  1690,  saying  that  all  his  labors  were  poor 
and  small,  and  exhorting  those  who  surrounded  his  bed  to 
pray.  His  last  words  were,  "Welcome  joy."  There  is  no 
portrait  of  him  extant. 

Mr.   Eliot  published  several  letters  in  a  work  entitled, 


36  THE   FIRST    MEETING   HOUSE 

"  The  Glorious  Progress  of  the  Gospel  among  the  Indians, 
etc."  1649;  Tears  of  Repentance,  in  conjunction  with  Mr. 
Mayhew  1653;  a  Late  and  Further  Manifestation  of  the 
Progress  of  the  Gospel  amongst  the  Indians,  etc.,  1659;  a 
Brief  Narrative  of  the  Progress  of  the  Gospel,  etc.,  1670. 
A  work  of  his  entitled,  "The  Christian  Commonwealth, 
etc."  was  published  in  England  about  the  year  1660,  written 
nine  or  ten  years  before.  When  it  was  received  in  Massa- 
chusetts, the  Governor  and  Council,  viewing  it  as  full  of 
seditious  principles  against  all  established  governments, 
especially  against  the  monarchy  of  their  native  country,  re- 
quired Mr.  Eliot  to  make  a  recantation,  which  he  accordingly 
did,  acknowledging,  that  government  by  kings,  lords  and 
commons  was  not  anti-Christian.  The  book  was  suppressed. 
A  copy  is  in  Colonel  Aspinwall's  collection  of  books  relating 
to  America.  In  1661,  he  published  his  translation  of  the 
New  Testament  into  the  Indian  tongue;  second  edition, 
1680,  and  in  1663,  his  immense  work,  the  translation  of  the 
whole  Bible,  in  4to.  entitled,  "  Mamusse  Wunneetupana- 
tamwe  Up-Biblum  God  naneeswe  Nukkone  Testament  Kah 
Wonk  Wusku  Testament. "  A  second  edition  was  printed 
in  1685,  revised  by  Mr.  Cotton,  and  both  of  them  were 
printed  in  Cambridge,  Mass.  The  longest  word  is  in 
Mark  1 :  40, 

WUTAPPESITTUKQUSSUNNOOHWEHTUNKQUOH, 

"  kneeling  do-wTi  to  him. " 

A   PORTION   OF  THE   LORD'S   PRAYER   TRANSLATED 
INTO   THE   INDIAN   LANGUAGE. 

Our  Father  which  art  in  heaven  Nooshun  Keesukqut  Quttianata 

Hallowed  be  thy  name  munach  Koowesuonh  Pergan- 

Thy  Kingdom  come  moonch  Kukketarsootamoonch. 


REV.   MR.  JOHN   ELIOT  37 

Mr.  Eliot  also  published,  *'  Jews  in  America,"  1660,  in-  X 
tended  to  prove  that  the  Indians  were  descendants  of  the 
Jews;  an  Indian  grammar,  1666;  a  new  edition,  with  notes 
by  Du  Ponceau  and  introduction  by  J.  Pickering,  8  volumes, 
1822;  also  in  2d  (Mass.)  Historical  Collections,  ninth  volume; 
The  Logic  Primer,  for  the  use  of  the  Indians,  1672;  the 
Psalms,  translated  into  Indian  meter,  and  a  catechism, 
annexed  to  the  edition  of  the  New  Testament,  in  1680;  a 
translation  of  The  Practice  of  Piety,  of  Baxter's  Call  to  the 
Unconverted,  and  of  several  of  Shepard's  works;  the  Har- 
mony of  the  Gospels,  in  English,  4to.,  1678;  the  Divine 
Management  of  Gospel  Churches  by  the  Ordinance  of  Coun- 
cils, designed  for  the  reconciliation  of  the  Presbyterians  and 
Congregationalists.  Nine  of  his  letters  to  Sir  Robert  Boyle 
are  in  the  3d  volume  of  the  Historical  Collections,  and  his 
account  of  Indian  churches  in  the  ninth  volume.  His 
"  Christian  Commonwealth,"  is  in  Historical  Collections, 
3d  series,  volume  nine. 


^u 


38  THE  FIRST   MEETING   HOUSE 


REV.  MR.  SAMUEL  DANFORTH 

Samuel  Danforth,  the  second  pastor  of  this  church,  was 
the  sixth  child  and  second  son  of  Nicholas  and  Elizabeth 

Danforth,  and  was  baptized  17th  Oct.,  1626,  in  Fram- 

lingham,  Suffolk  County,  England.  His  mother  died  in 
1629,  and  in  1634  his  father  emigrated  to  New  England,  with 
all  his  children,  and  settled  in  Cambridge.  Cotton  Mather 
speaks  of  him  as : 

A  gentleman  of  ^such  estate  and  repute  in  the  world,  that  it  cost  him  a 
considerable  simi  to  escape  the  Knighthood  which  King  Charles  the  First 
imposed  on  all  of  so  much  per  anniun,  and  of  such  figure  and  esteem  in  the 
church  that  he  procured  that  famous  lecture  at  Framlingham,  where  he  had 
a  fine  manor,  which  was  kept  by  many  noted  ministers.  When  the  Laudian 
fury  scored  them  he  came  to  New  England. 

He  died  in  1638  and  committed  young  Samuel  to  the  care 
of  Rev.  Mr.  Shepard,  the  minister  in  Cambridge  who  proved 
a  kind  patron  unto  him.  Samuel  was  graduated  at  Harvard 
College  in  the  class  of  1643  and  was  made  the  second  Fellow, 
his  class  being  the  second  class  that  was  graduated  from  that 
college.  From  his  being  early  appointed  one  of  the  officers 
of  instruction,  we  may  infer  that  his  rank  as  a  scholar  was 
high.  He  was  also  a  member  of  the  corporation,  and,  to  the 
extent  of  his  means,  a  donor  to  the  college.  On  May  10, 
1648,  he  was  admitted  to  the  freedom  of  the  colony.  Rev. 
Mr.  Welde  having  returned  to  England  the  church  at  Rox- 
bury  invited  Mr.  Danforth  to  become  a  colleague  to  Mr.  Eliot 
whose  evangelical  employments  abroad  among  the  Indians 
made  a  colleague  at  home  very  necessary.  On  May  12,  1650, 
he  was  dismissed  from  the  Cambridge  church  and  recom- 
mended and  admitted  to  the  First  Church  of  Roxbury.  He 
was  ordained  pastor  of  this  church  Sept.  24,  1650. 


REV,    MR.  SAMUEL   DANFORTH  39 

"On  the  lltii  of  the  9*1^  mo.  1651,"  says  the  town  record, 
"there  was  voted  a  levy  upon  all  the  inhabitants  for  the 
raysing  of  50  pounds,  towards  the  building  or  buying  of  an 
house  for  Mr.  Danforth,  our  pastor. "  This  was  nine  years 
prior  to  his  purchase  of  Capt.  Joseph  Weld's  house  in  the 
town  street  near  that  of  John  Eliot,  in  which  he  finally 
resided.  Here  he  continued  until  his  decease,  and  no  tempta- 
tions arising,  either  from  the  incompetency  of  the  salary 
allowed  him  to  support  an  hospitable  family,  or  from  the 
provocation  which  unworthy  men  in  the  neighborhood  some- 
times tried  him  withal,  could  persuade  him  to  accept  of 
motions,  which  were  made  unto  him,  to  remove  into  more 
comfortable  settlements;  but  keeping  his  eye  on  the  great 
man's  motto,  prudens  qui  patiens,  he  continued  in  his 
Roxbury  station  for  three  years  more  than  thrice  seven 
together. 

Evidence  of  his  uncomfortable  proximity  to  the  Grey- 
hound Tavern  is  also  seen  in  the  fact  that  he  exerted  his 
influence  to  have  such  persons  only  keep  houses  of  public 
entertainment  as  would  "keep  good  order  and  manners  in 
them,"  and  when  from  his  study  window  he  saw  any  town 
dwellers  trifling  there,  he  would  go  over  and  chide  them  away. 
What  with  the  venerable  apostle  Eliot  on  one  side  and  the 
godly  Danforth  upon  the  other,  the  tavern  roisterers  would 
seem  to  have  been  under  a  pretty  thorough  surveillance. 

In  early  life  he  devoted  some  time  to  scientific  pursuits, 
especially  to  astronomy.  He  published  almanacs  for  several 
years,  some  of  which  were  considered  valuable  for  the  chrono- 
logical tables  they  contained. 

That  part  of  the  diary  in  the  church  records  written  by 
him  is  filled  with  accounts  of  comets,  earthquakes,  prodigies, 
and  other  phenomena  of  nature.  He  particularly  mentions 
the  followmg  in  the  year  1664. 


40  THE   FIRST   MEETING   HOUSE 

Nov.  17.  About  this  time  there  appeared  a  Comet  in  ye  Heavens  the 
first  time  I  saw  it  wch  was  ye  5th  of  10  m.  It  appeared  a  httle  below 
the  Crows  Bill  in  Hydra  in  ye  Tropick  of  Capricorn  or  neer  to  it.  on 
ye  18th  day  it  appeared  in  Canis  Major  2  degrees  below  ye  Tropick.  On 
ye  19th  day  I  observed  it  to  passe  on  ye  upper  star  in  ye  Hares  foot  about 
2  degrees  &  h  above  the  tropick.      It  continued  till  Feb.  4. 

He  maintained  that  a  comet  is  a  heavenly  body  moving 
according  to  defined  laws,  and  that  its  appearance  is  por-, 
tentous. 

The  sermons,  with  which  he  fed  his  flock,  were  elaborate 
and  substantial;  he  was  a  notable  text-man,  and  one  who  had 
more  than  forty  or  fifty  scriptures  distinctly  quoted  in  one 
discourse;  but  he  much  recommended  himself  by  keeping 
close  to  his  main  text,  and  avoiding  all  remote  excursions  and 
vagaries;  and  there  was  much  notice  taken  of  it,  and  though 
he  was  a  very  judicious  preacher,  yet  he  was  therewithal  so 
affectionate  that  he  rarely,  if  ever,  ended  a  sermon  without 
weeping.  On  the  Lord's  days  in  the  forenoons  he  expounded 
the  books  of  the  Old  Testament;  in  the  afternoons,  he  dis- 
coursed on  the  body  of  divinity,  and  many  occasional  subjects, 
and  some  chapters  in  the  Epistle  to  the  Romans,  until  the 
year  1661,  and  then  he  began  to  handle  the  harmony  of  the 
four  Evangelists.  He  also  preached  a  monthly  lecture,  and 
on  many  private  occasions,  at  meetings  of  Christians  in 
families  of  the  faithful.  But  instead  of  ever  venturing  upon 
any  extemporaneous  performances,  it  was  his  manner  to 
write  his  sermons  twice  over,  and  it  was  in  a  fair  long  hand 
that  he  wrote  them,  he  then  committed  every  word  to  memory 
and  his  memory  was  so  tenacious  that  it  was  never  known  to 
fail  him.  His  utterance  was  free,  clear  and  giving  much  in 
a  little  time.  As  a  pastor  he  was  unwearied  in  his  attentions 
to  his  parishioners,  visiting  faithfully  the  sick  and  afflicted. 
There  is  no  theological  publication  of  his,  except  we  con- 
sider his  election  sermon  as  such,  which  is  a  recognition  of 


REV.    MR.   SAMUEL   DANFORTH  41 

New  England's  errand  into  the  wilderness.  It  was  delivered 
in  1670. 

After  his  contraction,  according  to  the  Old  usage  of  New 
England,  unto  Mary,  the  Virtuous  Daughter  of  the  Reverend 
Mr.  John  and  Elizabeth  (Mansfield)  Wilson,  the  first 
minister  of  Boston,  whereat  IVIr.  Cotton  preached  the  sermon, 
he  was  married  Nov.  5,  1651,  and  was  blessed  with  twelve 
children.  Two  of  his  sons  became  eminent  divines  in  this 
State.  Rev.  John  Danforth  was  minister  of  Dorchester  from 
1682  to  1730,  Rev.  Samuel  Danforth  was  minister  of  Taunton 
from  1688  to  1727.  Danforth  died  Nov.  19,  1674,  after  an 
illness  of  only  six  days,  contracting  a  fever  while  on  a  journey. 
In  the  church  record  under  the  same  date  Eliot  writes  this 
touching  passage : 

"  Our  Rev.  pastor,  Mr.  Samuel  Danforth,  sweetly  rested 
from  his  labors.  It  pleased  the  Lord  to  brighten  his  passage 
to  glory.  He  greatly  increased  in  the  power  of  his  ministry, 
especially  the  last  summer.  He  cordially  joined  with  me  in 
maintaining  the  peace  of  the  churches.  We  consulted 
together  about  beautifying  the  house  of  God  with  ruling 
elders,  and  to  order  the  congregation  into  the  primitive  way 
of  collections."  "My  brother  Danforth,"  said  he,  "made 
the  most  glorious  end  that  I  ever  saw. " 

He  was  thus  eulogized  in  verse : 

Mighty  in  scripture,  searching  out  the  sense. 
All  the  hard  things  of  it  unfolding  thence; 
He  lived  each  truth,  his  faith,  love,  tenderness, 
None  can  to  th'  life  as  did  his  life  express. 
Our  minds  with  gospel  his  rich  lectiu-e  fed, 
Luke  and  his  Ufe  at  once  are  finished. 
Our  new-built  church  now  suffers,  too,  by  this, 
Larger  its  vsindows,  but  its  Lights  are  less. 


42  THE   FIRST   MEETING   HOUSE 


RULING  ELDERS 

Mr.  John  Miller  was  educated  at  Gonville  and  Caius 
College,  Cambridge,  where  he  took  his  A.B.  in  1627,  and  in 
the  "Magnalia"  is  included  by  Mather  in  his  "first  classics." 
He  came  to  New  England  in  1634  with  his  wife  Lydia  and 
son  John.  Freeman  May  22,  1639.  While  in  Roxbury  he 
was  chosen  to  the  office  of  a  Ruling  Elder  of  this  church. 
From  1639  to  1641  he  was  an  assistant  to  the  Rev.  Ezekiel 
Rogers  at  Rowley.  He  returned  to  Roxbury  at  various 
intervals  and  probably  preached  when  any  temporary  need 
existed.     He  died,  in  Groton,  June  12,  1663. 

Mr.  Isaac  Heath  was  born  in  Nazing,  England,  in  1585, 
and  came  to  this  country  late  in  1635,  aged  50,  in  company 
with  his  wife  Elizabeth  and  daughter  Elizabeth.  He  settled 
in  Roxbury  and  his  homestead  and  farm  of  three  acres  were 
near  what  is  now  the  southwest  corner  of  Washington  and 
Vernon  Streets.  Freeman  May  25,  1636.  He  was  by  trade 
a  harness-maker  and  was  one  of  the  principal  founders  of  the 
Free  Schoole.  Deputy  1637-8.  About  1637  he  was  chosen 
by  his  townsmen  to  the  office  of  a  Ruling  Elder  of  this 
church,  a  special  recognition  of  his  prudence,  wisdom  and 
godliness.  This  office  placed  him  in  intimate  relation  with 
Eliot,  who  consulted  him  in  all  his  plans  and  difficulties.  He 
assisted  Eliot  in  his  Indian  labors,  accompanying  him  in  his 
toilsome  expeditions  through  the  wilderness  and  expounded 
the  gospel  to  the  natives.  In  the  meeting  house  he  occupied 
an  elevated  seat  between  the  deacons'  seat  and  the  pulpit  and 
continued  in  office  through  life.  He  died,  in  Roxbury,  Jan. 
21,  1660/1. 


DEACONS  43 


DEACONS 

Mr.  George  Alcock  came  with  the  first  company  in  1630. 
He  left  his  only  son  in  England.  His  wife,  a  sister  of  Rev. 
Thomas  Hooker,  died  soon  after  he  came  to  this  land. 
When  the  people  of  Rocksbrough  joyned  to  the  church  at 
Dorchester,  "until  such  time  as  God  should  give  them 
opportunity  to  be  a  church  among  themselves,"  he  was  by 
the  church  chosen  to  be  a  Deakon,  especially  to  regard  the 
brethren  at  Rocksborough.  And  after  he  had  adjoyned 
himself  to  this  church  at  Rocksborough,  he  was  ordained  a 
Deacon  of  this  church  in  1632.  He  made  two  voyages  to 
England  upon  just  calling  thereunto,  wherein  he  had  much 
experience  of  God's  preservation  and  blessing.  He  brought 
over  his  son  John  and  also  a  wife,  by  whom  he  had  his  second 
son  Samuel.  He  was  a  physician.  Freeman,  Oct.  19,  1630. 
Deputy  to  the  First  General  Court,  May  14,  1634.  He 
lived  in  a  good  and  godly  sort,  and  died  in  the  end  of  the  10*1^ 
month  1640,  and  left  a  good  savor  behind  him,  the  poor  of 
the  church  much  bewailing  his  loss. 

Mr.  William  Parke  (Parkes)  was  born  in  England  in 
1604  and  came  to  this  country  February  1630/1  a  single 
man,  and  was  one  of  the  first  in  the  church  at  Rocksbrough. 
Freeman,  May  18, 1631,  and  ordained  a  Deacon  of  this  church 
in  1632.  He  married  Martha  Holgrave  of  Salem  and  lived 
on  the  North  side  of  the  road  to  Dorchester.  He  was  a  man 
of  influence  and  wealth,  of  pregnant  understanding  and 
useful  in  his  place.  Deputy  to  the  General  Court  for  thirty- 
three  years,  &  often  selectman.  One  of  the  original  donors 
of  the  "  Free  Schoole"  and  also  a  Trustee.  He  died  May  10, 
1683,  aged  79  years. 


44  THE   FIRST    MEETING   HOUSE 

Mr.  Philip  Eliot,  son  of  Bennett  and  Lettese  (Aggar) 
Eliot  and  brother  of  Rev.  John  EHot,  our  Teacher,  was  bap- 
tised April  25,  1602,  in  Nazing,  England,  and  came  to  this 
country  in  1635  with  his  wife  Elizabeth  (Ferian)  Eliot,  whom 
he  had  married  in  1621  in  Nazing.  Freeman,  May  25,  1636. 
He  was  probably  ordained  a  Deacon  of  this  Church  in  1640 
in  place  of  Deacon  Alcock,  who  died  that  year.  He  was  a 
man  of  peace  &  very  faithful,  he  was  many  years  in  the  office 
of  a  Deakon  w^  he  discharged  faithfully.  In  his  latter  years 
he  was  very  lively,  usefuU  &  active  for  God,  &  his  cause. 
The  Lord  gave  him  so  much  acceptanc  in  the  hearts  of  the 
people  y*  he  dyed  under  many  of  the  offices  of  trust  y*  are 
usually  put  upon  men  of  his  rank,  for,  besides  his  office  of  a 
Deakon,  he  was  a  Deputy  to  the  Gen.  Court,  Comissioner 
for  the  govnm*  of  the  towne,  one  of  the  5  men  to  order  the 
prudential  affairs  of  the  towne  &;  chosen  to  be  Feofee  of  the 
Publike  Schoole  in  Roxbury.  One  of  the  original  donors  of 
the  Free  Schoole.     He  died  22/8/1657. 

Mr.  Giles  Paison  (Payson)  baptised  in  Nazing  May  14, 
1609,  was  one  of  the  Nazing  emigrants  and  26  years  old  when 
he  embarked  for  New  England  April  3,  1635  in  the  "Hope- 
well"; a  single  man  when  he  came  to  Roxbury.  He  married 
Elizabeth  Dowell,  a  maide  servant.  Freeman,  April  18, 
1637.  One  of  the  original  donors  of  the  Free  Schoole  and 
also  a  Trustee.  He  held  many  town  offices.  He  was  elected 
&  called  to  ye  office  of  a  Deacon  14  (11™.)  1671  &  ye 
Sabbath  following,  21.  11.  1671  he  was  solenmly  ordained,  by 
prayer  and  imposition  of  ye  hands  of  ye  Elders,  Deacon  of 
this  church.     He  died  Jan.  28,  1688/9. 


FOUNDERS  45 


FOUNDERS 

William  Pinchon,  came  in  the  first  company,  1630,  as  one  of  the  Assistants 
of  the  Company,  and  he  was  chosen  to  that  office  annually  until  he  left 
Roxbury,  and  agam  in  later  years.  His  wife  died  soon  after  he  landed 
and  he  married  (2)  Mrs.  Frances  Samford  of  Dorchester.  When  so 
many  removed  to  the  Connecticut  river  he  went  with  them  and  planted 
at  a  place  called  Agawan,  now  Springfield.  He  was  recommended  to 
the  church  at  Winsor  until  such  time  as  it  should  please  God  to  provide 
that  they  might  enter  into  church  estate  among  themselves. 

George  Alcock,  see  Deacons. 

Thomas  Lambe,  farmer,  came  to  Roxbury  ia  1630  with  wife  Elizabeth, 
m.  (2)  Dorothy  Harbottle.  Freeman  May  18,  1631.  An  original  donor 
of  the  Free  Schoole.     Died  March  28,  1646. 

Elizabeth  Lambe,  wife  of  Thomas  Lambe. 

Thomas  Rawxings,  carpenter  and  planter,  came  in  the  first  company  1630 
with  wife  Mary.     Freeman  May  16,  1631.     Removed  to  Weymouth. 

Mary  Rawlings,  wife  of  Thomas  Rawhngs. 

Robert  Cole,  came  in  the  first  company,  1630.  Freeman  Oct.  19,  1630, 
with  prefix  of  respect.     Removed  to  Salem. 

Mary  Cole,  wife  of  Robert  Cole. 

John  Johnson,  farmer,  came  to  Roxbury  in  1630  with  wife  Margery; 
m.  (2)  Grace  Fawer.  Freeman  May  18,  1631.  Constable  1630.  Select- 
man. Surveyor  general  of  the  armnunition,  which,  while  stored  in  his 
house,  caught  fire,  blew  up  the  house  and  all  was  lost.  It  was  at  this 
.  time  that  the  records  were  destroyed.  May  8,  1632,  he  and  Robert  Cole 
were  chosen  from  Roxbury  to  advise  with  the  governor  at  the  next 
General  Comt.  May  14, 1634,  Deputy  from  Roxbiny  to  the  first  General 
Court  of  delegates.  Artillery  Company,  1638.  An  original  donor  to 
the  Free  Schoole.     Died  Sept.  30,  1659. 

Margery  Johnson,  wife  of  John  Johnson. 

Jehu  Bur  (Burr),  carpenter,  came  to  Roxbury  in  1630.  Freeman  May  18, 
1631.  In  1633  appointed  by  the  Court  to  see  to  the  bridges  between 
Boston  and  Roxbury.     Removed  to  Springfield  with  Pinchon. 

GooDwiFE  Bur,  vdfe  of  Jehu  Bur. 

William  Chase,  came  in  the  first  company,  1630,  with  wife  Mary.  Free- 
man May  18,  1631.     Removed  to  ScitUate. 

Mary  Chase,  wife  of  William  Chase. 


46  THE   FIRST    MEETING   HOUSE 

Richard  Bugbt,  came  to  Roxbiiry  in  1630  with  wife  Judith.    Freeman 

May  18,  1631.     Died  before  1641. 
Judith  Bugby,  wife  of  Richard  Bugby. 
Gregorie  Baxter,  farmer,  came  to  Roxbmy  in  1630.     Freeman  March 

6,  1631/2;  married  Margaret  Paddy.     Removed  to  Braintree. 
Francis  Smith,  cardmaker  and  farmer,  came  to  Roxbury  in  1630.     Free- 
man May  18,  1631.     Served  on  the  first  inquiry  held  by  a  coroner,  Sept. 

28,  1630.     An  original  donor  of  the  Free  Schoole.     Removed  to  Boston. 
Griffith  Crofts  (Crafts),  farmer  and  carpenter,  came  to  Roxbury  in  1630 

with  wife  Alice;  m.  (2)  Ursula  (Adams,  Hosier,  Streeter)  Robinson,  her 

fourth  husband;  m.    (3)   Dorcas   Ruggles.     Freeman   May   18,    1631. 

Selectman.     Deputy  to  the  General  Court,  1638,  1663,  166-1.     Lt.  of 

the  Roxbury  company.    Artillery  company,  1668.     An  original  donor  of 

the  Fi-ee  Schoole.     Held  many  positions  of  trust.     Died  Oct.  4,  1689. 
Alice  Crofts,  wife  of  Griffith  Crofts. 
William  Parke,  see  Deacons. 
William  Dennison,  farmer,  born  at  Bishops  Stratford,  Herts,  England, 

came  to  Roxbury  in  1631  with  wife  Margaret   (ChandleH).     Freeman 

July  3,   1632.     Constable,   1634.     Deputy,   1635.     Appraiser  of  Wills. 

Disarmed  as  follower  of  Ann  Hutchinson.     An  original  donor  of  the 

Free  Schoole.     Died  Jan.  25,  1654. 
Margret  Dentstison,  wife  of  William  Dennison.     It  pleased  God  to  work 

upon  her  heart  &  change  it  in  her  ancient  years,  after  she  came  to  this 

land  &  joined  to  the  church  in  the  year  1632. 
Samuel  Wakeman,  yeoman,  came  to  Roxbury,  Nov.,  1631,  with  wife  Ehza- 

beth.     Freeman  Aug.  7,  1632.     Removed  to  Cambridge. 
Elizabeth  WAKiatiAN,  wife  of  Samuel  Wakeman. 
Richard  Lyman,  bap.  Oct.  30,  1580,  in  High  Onger,  Essex  Co.,  England ; 

came  to  Roxbury,  Nov.,  1631.     Freeman  June  11,  1633.     Removed  to 

Springfield  with  Pinchon. 
Sarah  Lyilust,  wife  of  Richard  LjTxian. 

Phillis  Lyman,  daughter  of  Richard  Ljonan,  m.  WilUam  Hills. 
John  Carmen,  came  to  Roxbury  in  1631  with  wife  Florence.     Was  a 

Patentee  of  Hamstead,  Long  Island,  and  removed  there. 
Florence  Carmen,  wife  of  John  Carmen. 
Thomas  Goldthwaight,  single  man,  came  to  Roxbury  in  1631.     Freeman 

May  14,  1634.     Removed  to  Salem  m  1636. 
Valentine  Prentise,  came  to  Roxbury  in  1631  with  wife  Alice.     Freeman 

Aug.  7,  1633.     Died  in  1633. 
Alice  Prentise,  wife  of  Valentine  Prentise. 


MEMBERS   BETWEEN   1631   AND   1650  47 


MEMBERS    BETWEEN    1631    AND    1650. 

Robert  Gamlin,  came  to  Roxbury  in  1632.     Freeman  May  14,   1634. 

Removed  to  Concord. 
John  Perry,  farmer,  came  to  Roxbury  in  1632.     Freeman  March  4, 1632/3. 

Died  Sept.  21,  1642. 
John  Leavens,  farmer,  came  to  Roxbm-y  in  1632  with  wife  Elizabeth;  m. 

(2)  Rachel  Wright.     Freeman  March  4,  1633/4.     An  original  donor  of 

the  Free  Schoole.    Died  Nov.  15,  1647. 
Richard  Dummer,  born  about  1599  in  Bishopstoke,  Hants,  England,  came 

to  Roxbury  in  1632  with  wife  Mary.     Freeman  Nov.  6,  1632.     Built 

the  first  watermill  in  Roxbury  in  1633.     Removed  to  Newbiu-y. 
Mary  Dxjmmer,  wife  of  Richard  Dummer.     She  was  a  godly  woman  but 

by  the  seduction  of  some  of  her  acquaintances  she  led  away  into  the 

new  opinions  in  Mrs.  Hutchinson's  time. 

William  Talmage,  carpenter,  and  an  early  member  of  this  church,  came  to 
Roxbury  with  wife  Elizabeth.  Freeman  March  14,  1634.  Removed  to 
Lynn. 

Elizabeth  Talmage,  wife  of  William  Talmage. 

Mr.  Thomas  Welde,  out  first  Pastor. 

Margaret  Welde,  wife  of  Mr.  Thomas  Welde. 

Judith  Welde,  2nd  wife  of  Mr.  Thomas  Welde. 

John  Watson,  farmer,  came  to  Roxbury  in  1632.     Freeman  Nov.  5,  1633. 

m.  Alice,  widow  of  Valentine  Prentise.     An  original  donor  of  the  Free 

Schoole.     Died  Jan.  5,  1671/2. 
Thomas  Woodforde,  a  man  servant,  came  to  Roxbury  in  1632.     Freeman 

March  4,  1634/5.     Married  Mary  Blott.     Removed  to  Hartford. 
Margery  Hammond,  a  maide  servant,  came  to  Roxbury  in  1632.    Married 

John  Ruggles. 

Mary  Blott,  a  maide  servant,  came  to   Roxbury   in    1632,  m.  Thomas 

Woodforde. 
Ann  Shelly,  a  maide  servant,  came  to  Roxbury  in  1632,  married 

Foxall,  a  godly  brother  of  the  church  of  Sittuate. 
Rebeckah  Short,  a  maide  servant,  came  to  Roxbury  in  1632,  married 

(Walter)  Pahner  of  Charlestowne  church. 
William  Hills,  a  man  servant,  came  to  Roxbury  in  1632.     Married  Phillis 

Lyman.     Freeman  May  14,  1634.     Removed  to  Hartford. 


48  THE   FIRST   MEETING   HOUSE 

John  Coggeshall,  mercer,  from  county  Essex,  came  to  Roxbm-y  in  1632 
with  wife  Mary.  Freeman  Nov.  6,  1632.  Removed  to  Boston,  thence 
to  Rhode  Island. 

Maky  Coggeshall,  wife  of  John  Coggeshall. 

William  Heath,  farmer,  came  to  Roxbury  in  1632  with  wife  Mary.  Free- 
man March  4,  1632/3.     Deputy  May  14,  1634.     Died  May  29,  1652. 

Mary  Heath,  wife  of  William  Heath. 

William  Curtis,  farmer,  came  to  Roxbury  from  Nazing,  England,  in  1632 
with  wife  Sarah  (Eliot)  Curtis,  Freeman  March  4,  1632/3.  Died 
Dec.  8,  1672,  aged  80. 

Sarah  Curtis,  wife  of  William  Curtis. 

Thomas  Offitt,  came  to  Roxbury  in  1632  with  wife  Isabel.  Freeman 
March  4,  1633.     Removed  with  Pinchou  to  Springfield. 

Isabel  Offitt,  wife  of  Thomas  Offitt. 

Isaac  Morrill,  farmer,  came  to  Roxbury  in  1632  with  wife  Sarah.  Free- 
man March  4,  1633.  Selectman.  Artillery  Co.,  1638.  An  original 
donor  of  the  Free  SchooU.     Died  Dec.  20,  1661. 

Sarah  Morrill,  wdfe  of  Isaac  Morrill. 

Daniel  Brewer,  farmer,  came  to  Roxbury  in  1632  with  wife  Joanna. 
Freeman  May  14,  1634.      Died  March  28,  1646. 

Joanna  Brewer,  wife  of  Daniel  Brewer. 

Mr.  John  Eliot,  ovu*  Teacher. 

MR's.  Ann  Eliot,  the  wife  of  Mr.  John  Eliot. 

Abraham  Pratt,  came  to  Roxbury  from  Charlestown  in  1632  with  wife 
Johanna.     Returned  to  Charlestown. 

Johanna  Pratt,  wife  of  Abraham  Pratt. 

Mary  Gamlin,  a  maide  servant,  dau.  of  Robert  Gamlin  sr,  came  with  her 
father.     Died  in  1633. 

Robert  Gamlin,  Jr.,  came  to  Roxbury  May  20,  1632,  with  wife  Elizabeth, 
widow  of  Thomas  Mayo  of  County  Kent,  England,  and  her  son  John 
Mayo.     An  original  donor  of  the  Free  Schoole.     Died  in  1663. 

Elizabeth  Gamlin,  wife  of  Robert  Gamlin,  Jr. 

Samuel  Basse,  came  to  Roxbury  in  1632  with  wife  Ann.  Freeman  May  14. 
1634.     Removed  to  Braintree. 

Ann  Basse,  wife  of  Samuel  Basse. 

John  Tatman  (Totman),  farmer,  came  to  Roxbury  in  1632.  Freeman 
May  2,  1638.  Had  indulgence  in  1639  from  the  General  Court  for  living 
more  than  half  a  mile  from  the  church.     Died  Oct.  28,  1670. 

,  Wife  of  John  Totman. 


MEMBERS   BETWEEN    1631    AND    1650  49 

Jasper  Rawlings,  came  to  Roxbury  in  1632  with  wife  Jeane.    Freeman 

June  11,  1633.     Removed  to  Wethersfield. 
Jeane  Rawxings,  wife  of  Jasper  Rawlings. 
William  Perkins,  minister,  b.  Aug.  25,  1607.     Came  to  Roxbury  iu  1632. 

Freeman  Sept.  3,  1634.     m.  Eliz.  Woolton.     Removed  to  Wejonouth. 
John  Moody,  came  to  Roxbury  in  1633  with  Avife  Sarah.     Freeman  Nov.  5, 

1635.     An  original  donor  of  the  Free  Schoole.     Removed  to  Hartford, 

Conn. 
Sarah  Moody,  wife  of  John  Moody. 
John  Walker.     Freeman  May  14,  1634.     Removed  to  Boston  and  then  to 

Rhode  Island. 

WaUver,  wife  of  John  Walker. 

Elizabeth  Hinds,  a  maide  servant,  came  to  Roxbury  in  1633,  married 

Alexander ,  of  Boston. 

Elizabeth  Ballard,  a  maide  servant,  came  to  Roxbury  in  1633,  married 

Robert  Sever  of  this  church. 
John  Porter,  farmer.    Freeman  Nov.  5, 1633.    Wife  Margaret.    Removed 

to  Hingham. 
Margret  Porter,  wife  of  John  Porter. 
Nicholas  Parker,  yeoman,  came  to  Roxbury  in   1633  with  wife  Ann. 

Freeman  March  4,  1633/4.     Removed  to  Boston. 
Ann  Parker,  wife  of  Nicholas  Parker. 
Margret  Huntington,  widdow,  came  to  Roxbury  in  1633. 
Philip  Sherman,  a  single  man,  came  to  Roxbury  in  1633.     Freeman  May  14, 

1634.     m.  Sarah  Odding.     Disarmed  as  follower  of  Ann  Hutchinson. 

Removed  to  Rhode  Island. 
Thomas  Pigge  (Pidge),  came  with  wife  Mary.     Freeman  May  14,  1634. 

Died  Dec.  30,  1643. 
Mary  Pigge,  wife  of  Thomas  Pigge. 
Samuel  Finch,  m.  (1)  Martha  — -,  (2)  Judith  — .  Freeman  May  14, 

1634.     An  original  donor  of  the  Free  Schoole.     Died  Jan.  27,  1673/4. 
Martha  Parke,  wife  of  Deacon  William  Parke. 

Thomas  Wilson,  miller,  came  to  Roxbury  in  1633  with  wife  Ann.     Free- 
man May  14,  1634.     Removed  to  Exeter. 
Ann  Wilson,  wife  of  Thomas  Wilson. 
Joshua  Hewes,  a  single  man,  ironmonger,  came  to  Roxbury  in  1633. 

Freeman  March  4,  1633/4.     m.  Mary  Goldstone.     Deputy.     Artillery 

Co.  1643.     An  original  donor  of  the  Free  Schoole.     Removed  to  Rhode 

Island  and  thence  to  Boston. 


50  THE   FIRST   MEETING   HOUSE 

Isaac  Johnson,  came  to  Roxbury  in  1630  with  his  parents.  Joined  our 
church  in  1633.  Freeman  March  4,  1634/5.  m.  EHzal'orter.  Artillery 
Co.  1645.  An  original  donor  of  the  Free  Schoole.  Capt.  Roxbury  Co. 
Deputy,  1671.     Killed  in  the  Narraganset  fight,  Dec.  19,  1675. 

Elizabeth  Johnson,  wife  of  Isaac  Johnson. 

Ralph  Hinningway  (Hemingway),  a  man  servant,  came  to  Roxbury  in 
,       1633.     Freeman  Sept.  3,  1634,    m.  Eliza  Hewes.     Became  one  of  the 

largest  land  holders  in  Roxbury.     Active  in  town  affairs.     An  original 

donor  of  the  Free  Schoole.     Died  June  1,  1677  or  8. 

Sarah  Odding,  daughter-in-law  to  John  Porter,  married  Philip  Sherman. 

Thomas  Hills,  a  man  servant.     He  came  in  the  year  1633.     He  lived 

among  us  in  good  esteem  and   Godly  &  dyed  about  the   lit  or   12t 

month  1634  and  left  a  good  savor  behind  him,  he  was  a  very  faithfull  & 

prudent  servant  &  a  good  christian.     He  dyed  in  Mr.  Eliot's  family. 
Thomas  Hale,   a  single  man.     Freeman   May   14,   1634.     Removed  to 

Hartford.     Afterwards  returned  and  married   Jane  Lord,  one  of  our 

members,  and  returned  to  Conn. 
Edward  Riggs,  came  to  Roxbury  in  1633  with  wife  Eliza.     Freeman  May 

14,  1634.     Died  March  5,  1671.     Fought  in  the  Pequod  War. 
John  Graves,  came  to  Roxbury  from  Nazing  in  1633  with  a  wife;  married 

(2)   Judith .     Freeman  April   18,    1637.     Died   Nov.   4,   1644. 

Eliot  calls  him  "godly  brother  of  the  church"  and  says  of  him  and 

Thomas  Ruggles  that  "these  two  broke  the  knot  first  of  the  Nazing 

Christians.     I  mean  they  first  died  of  all  those  Christians  that  came 

from  that  town  in  England." 
Judith  Graves,  wife  of  John  Graves. 
John  Stow,  came  to  Roxbury  in  1634  with  wife  Elizabeth.     Freeman  Sept. 

3,  1634.     Removed  to  Concord. 
Elizabeth  Stow,  wife  of  John  Stow. 
John  Compton,  laborer.    Wife  Susanna.    Freeman  Sept.  3,  1634.    Removed 

to  Boston. 

Hues,  a  maide  servant. 

William  Cornewell,  farmer,  came  to  Roxbury  in  1634  with  wife  Joane. 

Removed  to  Conn. 
Joane  Cornewell,  wife  of  William  Cornewell. 
Abraham  Newell,  farmer,  came  to  Roxbury  from  Ipswich,  Eng.,  in  1634, 

aged  50,  with  wife  Frances.     Freeman  March  4,  1634/5.     An  original 

donor  of  the  Free  Schoole.     Died  June  13,  1672. 
Frances  Newell,  vdfe  of  Abraham  Newell. 


MEMBERS   BETWEEN    1631    AND    1650  51 

William  Freeborne,  came  to  Roxbury  in  1634,  aged  40,  with  wife  Mary. 

Freeman  Sept.  3,  1634.     Removed  to  Rhode  Island. 
Robert  Potter,  farmer,   came  to  Roxbury  in   1634  with  wife   Isabel. 

Freeman  Sept.  3,  1634.      Removed  to  Rhode  Island. 
Isabel  Potter,  wife  of  Robert  Potter. 
Sarah  Burrell,  wife  of  (John)  Bmrell. 
Richard  Pepper,  farmer,  came  to  Roxbury  from  Ipswich,  Eng.,  in  1634, 

aged  27,  with  wife  Mary.     Freeman  March  4,   1634/5.     An  original 

donor  of  the  Free  Schoole. 
Mart  Pepper,  wife  of  Richard  Pepper. 
Elizabeth  Howard,  a  maide  servant. 
Robert  Sever,  came  to  Roxbury  in  1634.     Freeman  April  18,  1637.     m. 

Elizabeth  Ballard.     Selectman.     An  original  donor  of  the  Free  Schoole. 

Died  May  13,  1683. 
Phebe  Disborowe,  wife  of  Walter  Disborowe. 
Christopher  Peake,  a  single  man.     Freeman  March  4,  1635.     m.  Dorcas 

French.    An  origmal  donor  of  the  Free  Schoole.     Died  May  22,  1666. 
Mr.  Thomas  Jenner,  came  to  Roxbury  in  1634.     Removed  to  Weymouth. 
Mr.  John  Mij^ler,  see  Ruhng  Elders. 
LiDEA  Miller,  wife  of  Mr.  John  Miller. 
Richard  Goard,  came  to  Roxbury  in  1635,  aged  17.     m.  Phebe  Howes. 

Died  Sept.  29,  1683. 
John  Ruggles,  shoemaker,  bap.  in  Nazing,  March  25,   1593,  came  to 

Roxbury  in  1635  with  wife  Barbara.     He  was  a  lively  christian,  knowne 

to  many  of  the  church  in  old  England  where  many  of  the  church  injoyed 

society  together.     Freeman  April  18,  1637.     An  origmal  donor  of  the 

Free  Schoole.     Deputy  1658,  1660,  1661.     Died  Oct.  6,  1663. 
Barbara  Ruggles,  wife  of  John  Ruggles, 
Elizabeth  Wise,  a  widdow. 
IsAAK  Heath,  see  Ruling  Elders. 
John  Astwood,    husbandman  from   Stanstead  Abbey,   Co.   Herts,  Eng., 

came  to  Roxbury  in  1635,  aged  26,  with  wife  Martha.     Freeman  March 

3,  1635/6.     Removed  to  Milford. 
Martha  Astwood,  wife  of  John  Astwood. 
Philip  Eliot,  see  Deacons. 
Elizabeth  Eliot,  wife  of  Philip  Eliot. 
Giles  Paison,  see  Deacons. 
Edward  Patson,  a  man  servant,  m.  Ann  Parke.     Freeman  May  13,  1640. 

An  original  donor  of  the  Free  Schoole.     Removed  to  Dorchester. 


52  THE   FIRST    MEETING   HOUSE 

Nicholas  Baker,  stopped  in  Roxbury  only  a  short  time.  Removed  to 
Hingham. 

Joseph  Welde,  storekeeper,  brother  to  our  first  pastor,  came  to  Roxbury 
in  1635  with  wife  Eliza,  m.  (2)  Barbara  Clap.  Freeman  March  3, 
1635/6.  Deputy,  1637.  Capt.  of  Roxbiu-y  Militia.  An  original  donor 
of  the  Free  Schoole.     Buried  Oct.  7,  1646. 

Barbara  Welde,  wife  of  Joseph  Welde. 

Thomas  Bell,  came  to  Roxbury  in  1635.  Freeman  May  25,  1636.  He 
and  his  wife  had  letters  of  Dismission  granted  and  sent  to  England  in 
Sept.  1654.  He  died  in  England  in  1672,  and  in  his  will  left  all  his 
property  in  Roxbury  to  the  Free  Schoole. 

,  Wife  of  Thomas  Bell. 

William  Webb.  Freeman  May  25,  1636.  Wife  Rebecca.  Removed  to 
Boston. 

Rebecca  Webb,  -wiie  of  William  Webb.  She  followed  baking  and  through 
her  covetuous  mind  she  made  light  waight  after  many  admonitions  &  for 
a  grosse  ly  in  publik,  flatly  denying  yt  after  she  had  weighed  her  dough, 
she  never  nimed  off  bitts  from  each  loaf,  for  all  wh  grosse  sins  she  was 
excommimicated.  But  afterward  she  was  reconciled  to  ye  Church  & 
lived  christianly  &  dyed  comfortably. 

Adam  Mott,  tailor,  with  wife  Sarah,  came  to  Roxbury  in  1635  from  Cam- 
bridge, Eng.     Freeman  May  25,  1636.     Removed  to  Rhode  Island. 

Sarah  Mott,  wife  of  Adam  Mott. 

Mrs.  Anna  Vassaile,  wife  of  William  Vassaile. 

Richard  Carder.  Freeman  May  25,  1636.  Removed  early  to  Boston, 
afterwards  to  Rhode  Island. 

Lawrence  Whiitajiore,  husbandman,  from  Stanstead  Abbey,  Co.  Herts, 
Eng.,  came  to  Roxbury  in  1635,  aged  63,  with  wife  Eliza.  Freeman 
April  18,  1637.  Died  in  1644.  As  he  had  no  children  he  gave  his  estate 
to  the  Free  Schoole. 

Jasper  Gun,  aged  29,  came  to  Roxbury  in  1635  with  wife  Ann.  Freeman 
May  25,  1636.     Removed  to  Hartford. 

Thomas  Birchard,  aged  40,  came  to  Roxbury  in  1635  with  wife  Mary. 
Freeman  May  17,  1637.     Removed  to  Hartford. 

IMary  Birchard,  wife  of  Thomas  Birchard. 

John  Cheney,  shoemaker,  came  to  Roxbury  in  1635  with  wife  Martha. 
Removed  to  Newbury. 

]\Iartha  Cheney,  wife  of  John  Cheney. 

Mary  Norrice,  a  maide,  dau.  of  Mr.  Edward  Norrice,  Teacher  to  the 
Church  at  Salem. 


MEMBERS   BETWEEN    1631    AND    1650  53 

EUZABETH  BOWIS. 

Henry  Bull,  a  man  servant,  aged  25,  came  to  Roxbury  in  1635.     Freeman 

May  17,  1637.     Removed  to  Rhode  Island. 
James  How,  came  to  Roxbury  with  wife  EUzabeth.     Freeman  May  17, 

1637.  Removed  to  Ipswich. 
Elizabeth  How,  wife  of  James  How. 

Mr.  John  Gore,  came  to  Roxbury  in  1635  with  wife  Rhoda.  Freeman 
April  18,  1637.  Art.  Co.  1638.  An  original  donor  of  the  Free  Schoole. 
Died  June  2,  1657. 

Rhoda  Gore,  wife  of  Mr.  John  Gore. 

Mary  Swaine,  a  maide  servant. 

Jane  Lordb,  a  maide  servant. 

Elizabeth  Dowell,  a  maide  servant.     Married  Giles  Paison. 

Phillis  Pepper,  a  maide  servant. 

Edward  Porter,  came  to  Roxbury  in  1636  with  wife  Elizabeth.  Freeman 
May  17,  1637.  An  original  donor  of  the  Free  Schoole.  Removed  to 
Boston. 

Elizabeth  Porter,  wife  of  Edward  Porter. 

John  Roberts,  came  to  Roxbury  in  1636  with  wife  Elizabeth.  Freeman 
May  22,  1639.  An  original  donor  of  the  Free  Schoole.  "He  was  one 
of  the  first  fruits  of  Wales  that  came  to  New  England  called  to  Christ  by 
the  ministry  of  yt  Reverend  and  worthy  instrument  Mr.  Wroth."  Died 
Nov.  27,  1651. 

Elizabeth  Roberts,  wife  of  John  Roberts. 

George  Kilborne,  a  man  servant,  bap.  at  Wood  Ditton,  Co.  Cambridge, 
Feb.  12,  1612,  came  to  Roxbury  in  1636  with  wife  Eliza.  Freeman 
May  13,  1640.    Removed  to  Rowley. 

Robert  Williams,  cordwainer,  bap.  Dec.  11,  1608,  in  Great  Yarmouth, 
Norfolk  Co.,  Eng.,  came  to  Roxbury  in  1637  with  wife  Elizabeth  (Stal- 
ham).  Freeman  May  10,  1643.  Selectman.  An  original  donor  of  the 
Free  Schoole.     Died  Sept.  1,  1693. 

Elizabeth  Williams,  wife  of  Robert  Williams. 

Samuel  Hagbourne,  came  to  Roxbury  in  1637  with  wife  Catharine.  Free- 
man May  2,  1638.  A  benefactor  of  the  Free  Schoole.  Died  Jan.  24, 
1643. 

Catharine  Hagbourne,  wife  of  Samuel  Hagbourne. 

Abraham  Howe,  came  to  Roxbury  in  1637  with  wife.     Freeman  May  2, 

1638.  Removed  to  Boston.     Held  office  of  fence  viewer  in  Roxbury. 
,  Wife  of  Abraham  Howe. 


54  THE   FIRST   MEETING   HOUSE 

Thomas  Ruggles,  came  to  Roxbury  in  1637  with  wife  Mary  (Curtis),  from 
Nazing.     Freeman  May  22,  1639.     Died  Nov.  16,  1644. 

Mary  Ruggles,  wife  of  Thomas  Ruggles.    An  original  donor  of  the  Free 

Schoole. 
Edward  Bridge,  came  to  Roxbury  about  1637  with  wife  Mary.     Freeman 

May  22,  1639.     An  original  donor  of  the  Free  Schoole.     Died  Dec.  20, 

1683,  aged  82. 
Mart  Bridge,  wife  of  Edward  Bridge. 
Thomas  Mighill,  came  to  Roxbury  in  1637  with  wife  Ellen.    Removed 

to  Rowley. 
Ellen  Mighill,  wife  of  Thomas  Mighill. 
Christian  Spisor,  a  maide  servant. 

Rachel  Write,  a  maide  servant.     Married  brother  John  Leavins. 
Johanna  Boyse,  a  maide. 
Matthew  Boyce.     Freeman  May  22,  1639.    Removed  to  Rowley. 

,  Wife  of  Matthew  Boyce. 

George  Holmes,  came  to  Roxbury  with  wife  Sarah.     Freeman  May  22, 

1639.     An  original  donor  of  the  Free  Schoole.     Died  Dec.  18,  1665. 
Sarah  Holmes,  wife  of  George  Holmes. 
Jane  Stebbins,  wife  of  Martin  Stebbins. 
William  Chandler,  came  to  Roxbury  about  1637  with  wife  Hannah. 

Freeman  May  13,  1640.     He  hved  a  very  religious  and  Grodly  life  among 

us.    He  died  Jan.  19,  1641/2  and  left  a  sweet  memory  &  savor  behind 

him. 

Hannah  Chandler,  wife  of  William  Chandler. 

Walter  Blackburn,  came  to  Roxbury  with  wife  Elizabeth.     Freeman 

May  22,  1639.     Returned  to  England  in  1641. 
Elizabeth  Blackburn,  wife  of  Walter  Blackburn. 
Richard  Peacock,  glazier,  came  to  Roxbury  with  wife  Jane.     Freeman 

May  22,  1639.     An  original  donor  of  the  Free  Schoole.     Dismissed  to 

ye  church  at  Boston,  9.  5™,  1665. 
Jane  Peacock,  wife  of  Richard  Peacock. 
M^'^  Sheafe,  a  widdow. 
Arthur  Geary,  was  in  Roxbury  with  wife  Frances  in  1638.     Freeman 

March  14,  1639.    An  original  donor  of  the  Free  Schoole.    Died  Dec.  17, 

1666,  aged  67. 

Frances  Geary,  wife  of  Arthur  Geary. 
M^'^  Greene,  a  widdow. 


MEMBERS   BETWEEN    1631    AND    1650  55 

SiLENC  RoBBiNSON,  wife  of  ThoDttas  Robbinson. 

Samuel  Chapin,  came  to  Roxbury  in  1638  with  wife  Cicely.  Freeman 
June  2,  1641.     Removed  to  Springfield  in  1642. 

Cicely  Chapin,  wife  of  Samuel  Chapin. 

James  Astwood,  came  to  Roxbury  in  May,  1638,  with  wife  Sarah.  Free- 
man May  22,  1639.  An  original  donor  of  the  JVee  Schoole.  Dismissed 
to  ye  new  church  in  Boston. 

Sarah  Astwood,  wife  of  James  Astwood. 

Dorothy  Harbittle,  a  maide  servant,  married  Thomas  Lamb. 

Ann  Wallis,  a  maide  servant. 

Thomas  Reives,  a  man  servant,  came  to  Roxbury  in  1638  and  was  servant 
of  John  Gore  until  1644.  m.  Hannah  Rowe.  Freeman  May,  1645. 
Removed  to  Springfield. 

John  Weld,  b.  Oct.  28, 1623,  in  England,  came  to  Roxbury  in  1638,  married 
Margaret  Bowen.  Freeman  May  22,  1650.  Served  in  King  Phillip's 
War.     Died  Sept.  20,  1691. 

Thomas  Griggs,  came  to  Roxbury  in  1639  with  wife  Mary.  Died  May  23, 
1646. 

Mr.  Thomas  Dudley,  second  Governor  of  Massachusetts,  was  bom  in 
Northampton,  England,  in  1576.  At  the  age  of  fifty  years,  with  others, 
he  undertook  the  settlement  of  the  Massachusetts  Bay  Colony  and  came 
over  with  the  charter  as  Deputy  Governor  in  1630,  settling  first  at 
Newtowne,  then  at  Ipswich,  and  came  to  Roxbury  about  1639.  He  was 
Governor  in  1634,  1640,  1645,  1650,  and  Deputy  Governor  or  Assistant 
the  intervening  years.  In  1644  he  was  chosen  Sergeant-Major-General, 
the  highest  military  office  in  the  colonies.  As  Governor  of  Massachu- 
setts he  signed  the  charter  of  Harvard  College  and  was  a  directing  mind 
in  its  affairs.     He  was  a  Uberal  patron  of  the  Free  Schoole  in  Roxbury. 

He  married  (1)  Dorothy ,  (2)  Catherine  Hackburn  (Hagbourne). 

He  died  in  Roxbury,  July  31,  1653. 

M'^'^  Dorothy  Dudley,  wife  of  Mr.  Thomas  Dudley. 

John  Trumbell,  came  to  Roxbury  in  1639.  Freeman  May  13,  1640. 
Removed  to  Rowley. 

GrOWEN  Anderson.  Freeman  May  13,  1640.  An  original  donor  of  the 
Free  Schoole  in  Roxbury.     Removed  to  Boston. 

,  Wife  of  Gowen  Anderson. 

Robert  Pepper,  a  man  servant,  m.  Eliza  Johnson.  Freeman  May  10, 
1643.  An  original  donor  of  the  Free  Schoole.  Given  leave  to  brew 
and  sell  penny  beare  and  cakes  and  white  bread.  Died  July  7,  1685, 
"anoIdX'stian  " 


66  THE   FIRST    MEETING   HOUSE 

Elizabeth  Pepper,  wife  of  Robert  Pepper. 

John  Hall.      Freeman  May  13,  1640.      Removed  to  Comi. 

John  Bowles,  see  Ruling  Elders,  Second  Meeting  House. 

Dorothy  Bowles,  wife  of  John  Bowles. 

Thomas  Bitmstead,  came  to  Roxbury  July,  1640,  with  wife  Susanna.  Dis- 
missed to  Boston. 

Susanna  Bumstead,  wife  of  Thomas  Bmnstead. 

Margaret  Cheney,  wife  of  William  Cheney. 

Allis ,  a  maide  servant. 

John  Mays  (May),  came  to  Roxbury  with  wife  Sarah  about  1640.  Free- 
man June  2,  1641.  An  original  donor  of  the  Free  Schoole.  Died  April 
28,  1670,  aged  80  years. 

Sarah  Mays,  wife  of  John  Mays. 

Lewis  Jones,  came  to  Roxbury  with  wife  Ann  about  1640.  An  original 
donor  of  the  Free  Schoole.     Removed  to  Watertown. 

Ann  Jones,  wife  of  Lewis  Jones. 

Richard  Woody,  came  to  Roxbury  with  wife  Ann  about  1640.  Freeman 
May  18,  1642.     Died  Dec.  7,  1658. 

Ann  Woddy,  (Woody),  wife  of  Richard  Woody. 

James  Morgan,  came  to  Roxbury  in  1640,  m.  Margery.  Hill.  Freeman 
May  10,  1643.  An  original  donor  of  the  Free  Schoole.  Removed  to 
New  London. 

William  Lewis,  was  in  Roxbury  with  wife  Amy  (Weld),  Dec,  1640.  Free- 
man May  18,  1642.  An  original  donor  of  the  Free  Schoole.  Removed 
to  Lancaster. 

Amy  Lswas,  wife  of  W^illiam  Le^\as. 

John  Woody,  m.  Mary  Coggin.    Died  May  23,  1650. 

Thomas  Gardner,  was  li\ing  in  Brookline  July,  1641.  m.  Lucy  Smith. 
Freeman  May  6,  1646.     Died  July  15,  1689. 

(Lucy)  Gardner,  wife  of  Thomas  Gardner. 

Edward  Dennison,  was  in  Roxbury  before  1637,  as  he  was  disarmed  that 
year  as  follower  of  Ann  Hutchinson,  m.  Elizabeth  Weld.  Freeman 
May  10,  1648,  with  prefix  of  Respect.  Selectman  and  chosen  first  town 
clerk.     Deputy  1652  and  1655.     Died  April  26,  1668. 

Jane  Stebbins,  wife  of  Martin  Stebbins. 

WiDDOW  Gardner,  wife  of  (Thomas)  Gardner,  senior. 

John  Matthews,  was  in  Roxbury  with  his  wife  July,  1641.  Freeman 
May  18,  1642. 

,  Wife  of  John  Matthews. 


MEMBERS   BETWEEN    1631    AND    1650  57 

Thomas  Baker,  miller,  was  in  Roxbury  with  wife  Elizabeth  Oct.  le^l. 
Freeman  1649.     "  Jan.  30, 1683/4  Old  bUnd  godly  father  Baker  buried." 

Elizabeth  Baker,  wife  of  Thomas  Baker. 

Hugh  Prichard,  recommended  from  the  chm-ch  at  Cape  Ann,  was  in  Rox- 
bury with  wife  Eleanor  Dec,  1641.     Freeman  May  18,  1642.     Art.  Co. 

1643.  Selectman.     Deputy  1643,  '44  and  '49.     An  original  donor  of  the 
Free  Schoole.     Returned  to  England  about  1650. 

Eleanor  Prichard,  wife  of  Hugh  Prichard. 
Mart  Scarborough,  wife  of  John  Scarborough. 
Bridget  Dennison,  wife  of  George  Dennison, 
Mary  Jordan,  a  maide  servant. 
Mart  Turner,  a  maide  servant. 
Mart  Gorton,  wife  of  John  Gorton. 
JoNET  Starkweather,  wife  of  Robert  Starkweather. 
Grace  Newell,  daughter  of  Abraham  Newell. 

Sarah ,  maide  servant  of  brother  Park. 

Edmund  Sheffield,  came  to  Roxbury  in  1641.    m.  Mary  Woody.  Freeman 

1644.  Dismissed  to  church  at  Braintree. 

Thomas  Roberts,  m.  Eunice .    Art.  Co.  1644.     Freeman   1645. 

Removed  to  Boston. 
Philip  Torie  (Torrey),  from  Combe  St.  Nicholas,  Co.  Somerset,  Eng. 

Freeman  May  29,  1644.     m.  Mary,  widow  of  John  Scarborough,  died 

in  1686. 
Richard  Woodt,  Jr.,  soapboiler.    Freeman  May  29,  1644.    m.  Frances 

Dexter.    Removed  to  Boston. 
Joane  Atkins,  maide  servant  of  Mr.  Prichard,  married  one  Smith.    Dis- 
missed to  Maiden. 
Hannah  Roe,  maide  servant  of  IVIr.  Gore. 
Elizabeth  Williams,  dau.  of  John  WiUiams. 
Robert  Harris,  first  settled  in  Roxbury,  afterwards  removed  to  Muddy 

River  where  he  was  Uving  in  1643.    m.  Ehzabeth  Boughey.     Freeman 

May  22,  1650. 
George  Brand,  baker,  was  in  Roxbury  July,  1643.    m.  Martha  Heath. 

Freeman  May  22,  1650. 
Samuel  Williams,  see  Ruling  Elders,  Second  Meeting  House. 
Edward  White  was  in  Roxbury  with  his  wife  in  1643.    Freeman  May 

26,  1647.     An  original  donor  of  the  Free  Schoole. 
William  Franklin,  joined  the  church,  Feb.  1643/4,  and  a  month  later 

was  excommunicated. 


58  THE   FIRST   MEETING   HOUSE 

Henry  Fahnham,  joiner.     Freeman  May,  1645.    Removed  to  Long  Island, 

New  York. 
John  Stebbin,  bisket  baker,  was  in  Roxbury  April,  1644.    m.  Ann  Mtmke. 

Freeman  May  26,  1647.    Died  Dec.  4,  1681. 
Ann  Stebbin,  wife  of  John  Stebbin. 
Gerrabd  Bouhnb,  a  member  of  Boston  and  living  at  Muddy  River,  was 

here  received  in  1643  by  commimion  of  churches. 
Daniel  Gookin,  was  born  in  Ripple,  Kent,  in  1612,  came  with  his  father  to 

Virginia  in  1621  and  to  Boston  in  1644.     He  was  recommended  to  this 

church,  and  hved  in  Roxbury  from  1645  to  1648  when  he  removed  to 

Cambridge.    He  was  the  life  long  and  valued  friend  of  John  Eliot,  and 

his  fellow  worker  among  the  Indians. 
Ann  Dieeton,  a  maide  servant. 
Elizabeth  How,  daughter  of  Abraham  How. 
Ann  Brewer,  daughter  of  Dan :  Brewer. 
Mart  Paison,  wife  of  Edward  Paison. 
Hannah  Wilson,  wife  of  Nathaniel  Wilson. 
Elizabeth  Clark,  wife  of  James  Clark. 
John  Stonhard,  was  in  Roxbury  with  his  wife  Aug.  1645.    An  original 

donor  of  the  Free  Schoole.     Biu-ied  Aug.  15,  1649. 

,Wife  of  John  Stonhard. 

Mary  Wise,  wife  of  Joseph  Wise. 

GooDwiFE  Farrow,  joined  in  1647. 

GooDwiFE  Reade. 

Mary  Heath. 

Martha  Medcalf. 

Elizabeth  Davis,  wife  of  William  Davis. 

John  Turner,  was  in  Roxbury  Sept.,  1647,  removed  soon,  probably  to 

Medfield. 
Thankfull  Pearepoynt,  wife  of  John  Peirpoint. 
Hannah  Heath,  daughter  of  WiUiam  Heath. 
March  1649  Mrs  Barker  a  Gentlewoman  that  came  from  Barbados  hither 

for  the  Gospells  sake  we  found  her  not  so  well  acquainted  wth  her  own 

heart   &  the  wayes   &  workings  of  Gods  spirit  in  converting  a  sinner 

unto  God,  yet  full  of  sweet  affection,  &  we  feared  a  little  too  confident, 

we  received  her  not  wth  out  feares  &  jealousyes. 
GooDvnrE  (Rebecca)  Gardiner,  wife  of  Peter  Gardiner. 
GooDwiFE  Lyon,  wife  of  William  Lyon. 
GooDWiFE  Patchin,  a  poor  old  woman. 


CHURCH   MEMBERS  59 


CHURCH   MEMBERS 

May  12,  1650.  — 

Samuel    Danforth,    recommended    and    dismissed    from    Cambridge 

Chm-ch  and  admitted  here,  our  Pastor. 
Mrs.  Sarah  Alcock,  wife  of  Mr.  John  Alcock. 
Elizabeth  Denison,  wife  of  Edward  Denison. 
Susanna  Polly,  wife  of  John  Polly. 
June  30,  1650.  — 

Mr.  John  Alcock,  physician. 

Hugh  Thomas,  gave  his  estate  for  the  good  of  the  Roxbury  School. 

Died  May  6,  1683. 
John  Polly. 
Oct.  20,  1650.     Hugh  Roberts. 
Nov.  17,  1650.     John    Perepont.      See    Ruling    Elders,    Second    Meeting 

House. 
June  15,  1651.     Nicholas  Williams. 
Nov.  23,  1651.  — 

William  Garee,  farmer.     See  Deacons,  Second  Meeting  House. 
Isaac  Heath. 
March  23,  1651/2.    Daniel  Weld,  reconmiended  from  Braintree    church, 
was  town  clerk  in  1654  and  took  so  much  interest  in  the  schoole,  of 
which  he  was  master,  that  in  1659  the  General  Court  rewarded  him 
with  200  acres  of  land.     Died  July  22,  1666,  aged  81. 

3  m.  23  d.  1652.     Peleg  Heath. 

4  m.    6  d.  1652.  — 

Sister  Peake. 
Sister  Devotion. 
4  m.  20  d.  1652.  — 

Joseph  Grigs,  lived  in  Muddy  River,  died  in  1715,  aged  90. 
Lydia  Eliot,  dau.  of  Deacon  Eliot. 
2  m.    3d.  1653.     Abraham  Newel,  junior,  a  tailor. 
4  m.  26  d.  1653.  — 

Susanna  Heath,  wife  of  Peleg  Heath. 

Hannah  Garee,  wife  of  William  Garee. 

Magdalen  Bullard,  a  maide  servant  of  Brother  Williams,  m.   John 

Parrich  of  Medfield. 
John  Ruggles,  junior,  farmer,  b.  in  Nazing,  Eng.,  in  1625,  came  to 
Roxbury  in  1635  with  his  uncle  John  Ruggles.     Freeman  May  3, 
1654.    m,  Abigail  Crafts.    Sergeant  of  the  military  company.     Buried 
Sept.  15,  1658, 


60  THE   FIRST   MEETING   HOUSE 

11  m.  29  d.  1653. 

Thomas  Weld,  son  of  Mr.  Thomas  Weld,  sometime  Pastor  of  this 

chm-ch.     Selectman.    Deputy,  1676  &  7.     Greatly  esteemed. 
Margaret  Weld,  wife  of  John  Welde. 
Theodea  Williams,  wife  of  Samuel  Williams. 
3  m.  14  d.  1654.     Abraham  How,  weaver. 

3  m.    3d.  1657.     Goodman  (Joseph)  Griffin,  fought  in  King  Philip's  war. 
5  m.  19  d.  1657.  — 

.    Mrs.  Rebecca  Burrows,  who  came  from  Virginia  yt  she  might  enjoy 
God  in  his  Ordin.  in  N.  E. 
Elizabeth  Clark,  wife  of  Hugh  Clark,  being  dismissed  from  Watertown 
Church. 

10  m.  20  d.  1657.     Mris  Huntley,  wife  of  John  Huntley. 

2  m.  11  d.  1658.     John  Hanchet. 

7  m.  12  d.  1658.     Edward  Morris,  removed  to  Woodstock. 

8  m.  17  d.  1658.     John  Maioh. 

9  m.  14  d.  1658.     John  Watson. 

9  m.  21  d.  1658.    Isaac  Williams,  removed  to  Newton. 

11  m.  23  d.  1658.  — 

Mary  Childe,  wife  of  Benjamin  Cliilde. 
Mary  Ruggles,  wife  of  John  Ruggles,  Jr., 
Mary  Heath,  wife  of  Isaac  Heath,  Jr. 
Mary  Griggs,  wife  of  Jolm  Griggs. 
Martha  Parkes,  daughter  of  Deacon  Parkes. 

12  m.  13  d.  1658.     Samuel    Ruggles,  farmer,  m.    (1)  Haimah    Fowle,   (2) 

Ann  Bright;  d.  Aug.   15,   1692.     Lieut,  of  mihtia,  selectman  and 
Deputy. 

3  m.  15  d.  1659.  — 

Samuel  Mayes. 

Sarah  May,  wife  of  John  May. 
3  m.  22  d.  1659.  — 

Bridget  Davis,  wife  of  Tobijah  Davis. 

Susanna  Newell,  wife  of  Abraham  Newell,  junior. 

Grace  Morris,  wife  of  Edw.  Morris. 

Exercise  Felton,  a  maid  dismissed  from  Salem. 
7  m.  11  d.  1659.     Hugh  Clarke,  dismissed  from  Watertown. 
12  m.  12  d.  1659.     Elizabeth  Bowen. 
2  m.  29  d.  1660. — 

Mrs.  Mary  Danforth,  dismissed  from  Boston  Church. 

Mrs.  Dorothie  Welde,  dismissed  from  Lynn. 

Sarah  May,  an  aged  woman,  dismissed  from  Dorchester. 

Hannah  Hopkins,  dismissed  from  Dorchester. 


CHURCH    MEMBERS  61 


3  m.  27  d.  1660.     John  Mayes,  junior. 
12  m.    3  d.  1660.     Isaac  Newell. 
2  m.    7  d.  1661.  — 

Mary  GrifEn,  wife  of  bro.  Griffin. 

Elizabeth  Brewer,  wife  of  Nathaniel  Brewer. 
7  m.  22  d.  1661.  — 

Hannah  Ruggles,  wife  of  Samuel  Ruggles. 

Anne  Garee,  wife  of  Nathl  Garee. 

Elizabeth  Newell,  wife  of  Isaac  Newell. 

Mary  Watson,  wife  of  John  Watson,  junior. 

Sarah  Peak,  wife  of  Jonathan  Peak. 

Hanna  Mayo,  wife  of  John  Mayo. 
9  m.  24  d.  1661. — 

Remember  Palfrey,  a  maid  servant,  since  wife  of  Peter  Aspinwall. 

Dorcas  Watson,  dau.  of  John  Watson. 
5  m.    6  d.  1662.  — 

Mrs.  Sarah  Ehot,  wife  of  Mr.  John  Eliot,  junior. 

Elizabeth  Speare. 

1  m.  22  d.  1662/3.  — 

John  Bridge. 
John  More. 

2  m.    5  d.  1663.  — 

Elizabeth  Harris,  wife  of  Robert  Harris. 
Rebecca  Craft,  wife  of  John  Craft. 
Martha  Newell,  wife  of  Jacob  Newell. 
Prudence  Bridge,  wife  of  John  Bridge, 

4  m.    7  d.  1663.  — 

Richard  Meede. 

Alice  Davis,  wife  of  Wilh'am  Davis. 
Hanna  Brewer,  wife  of  Daniel  Brewer. 
2  m.  24  d.  1664.    Thomas  Woodward,  dismissed  from  Boston. 
12  m.    4  d.  1664.    Sarah  Frissel,  wife  of  James  Frissell. 

1  m.    5  d.  1664/5.  — 

William  Cheany. 
Robert  Hawes. 

2  m.  12  d.  1665. — 

John  Chandler,  first  sexton,  removed  to  Woodstock  in  1686. 
Jacob  Newell. 

5  m.  28  d.  1665. — 

Mary  Tyler,  wife  of  Job  Tyler,  dismissed  to  Mendham. 
Sarah  Chamberline,  wife  of  Richard  Chamberline. 
Elizabeth  Chandler,  wife  of  John  Chandler. 
Sarah  Foster,  wife  of  Thomas  Foster. 


62  THE   FIRST    MEETING   HOUSE 

4  m.  18  d.  1665.    Thomas  Foster. 

6  m.  20  d.  1665. — 

Edward  Bugbey,  an  old  man. 

Maria  Pierrepoint,  wife  of  Robert  Pierrepont. 

7  m.  24  d.  1665.     John  Prentice,  son  to  our  sister  Watson,  brought  by 

his  father  Valentine  to  N.  E.  in  1631.  Blacksmith,  removed  to  New 
London  in  1652.  Brought  6  of  his  children  more  than  a  hundred 
miles  to  be  baptised  in  this  church. 

9  m.    5  d.  1665.  — 

William  Lyons,  fought  in  King  Philip's  war. 

Samuel  Craft,  b.  Dec.  12,  1637,  m.  Elizabeth  Seaver,  d.  1693.     Freeman 
1671,  farmer  and  carpenter,  held  offices  in  the  town,  of  selectman, 
tithing  man  and  constable.     Lieut,  in  military  company. 
9  m.  12  d.  1665.    Benjamin  Eliot,  H.  C.  1665,  youngest  son  of  Rev.  John 
Eliot. 

5  m.    Id.  1666.     John  Gorton,  an  old  man.     Given  leave  to  brew  and 

sell  penny  beare  and  cakes  and  white  bread. 

5  m.    8  d.  1666.  — 

Mary  Polly,  wife  of  John  Polly. 
Desire-truth  Acrees,  wife  of  John  Acrees 

6  m.  22  d.  1666.     Jacob  Newell. 

7  m.  23  d.  1666.  — 

More,  wife  of  John  More. 

(Martha)  Sharp,  wife  of  John  Sharp. 
Elizabeth  Buckmaster,  wife  of  Joseph  Buckmaster. 
12  m.  1666.    Timothy  Stevens. 

1  m.  24  d.  1666. — 

Sarah  Stevens,  vnfe  of  Timothy  Stevens. 
Mary  Marshcraft. 

8  m.  20  d.  1667.    Elizabeth  Parker,  wife  of  John  Parker. 
11  m.  26  d.  1667.      Mary  Boltstone. 

11  m.  22  d.  1667-8.     Elizabeth  White,  wife  of  John  White,  junior. 

2  m.    5  d.  1668.     Steven    Williams,  b.  Nov.    8,  1640,  m.    Sarah    Wise. 

Farmer. 
Sarah  Williams,  wife  of  Steven  Williams. 
4  m.  28  d.  1668.     James  Clark,  lived  at  Muddy  River. 

9  m.  22  d.  1668.  — 

Moses  Craft,  gave  £2  towards  building  the  Second  Meeting  House. 

Removed  to  Deerfield. 
Rebecca  Craft,  wife  of  Moses  Craft. 


CHURCH   MEMBERS  63 

1  m.  21  d.  1668/9.     Mary  Johnson,  wife  of  Nathaniel  Johnson. 

5  m.  30  d.  1669.     Joanna  Davies,  grand  child  of  Mr.  Nicholas  Parker. 

6m.   Id.  1669.  — 

Mary  Hemingway,  wife  of  John  Hemingway. 
Joanna  Hemingway,  wife  of  Joshua  Hemingway. 

8  m.  10  d.  1669. ,  wife  of  Thomas  Andrews. 

12  m.  13  d.  1669.  — 

Mr.  Joseph  Dudley,  son  of  Governor  Thomas  and  Dorothy 


Dudley,  bom  Sept.  23,  1647,  bap.  26,  7  m.  1647.  H.  C.  1665. 
Studied  law.  Admitted  to  this  church  to  full  commimion  Oct.  22, 
1671.  Freeman  1672.  Deputy  to  the  General  Court,  1673  to  1675. 
An  Assistant  1676  to  1685.  President  of  New  England  1685  and 
1686  by  a  commission  from  King  James  II.  President  of  the  Coimcil 
and  Chief  Justice  of  the  Supreme  Court,  1687  to  1689.  Chief  Justice 
of  New  York,  1691  and  1692.  Deputy  Governor  of  the  Isle  of  Wight, 
England,  from  1694  to  1702.  Member  of  the  British  Parliament, 
and  he  finally  closed  his  long  official  career  as  Governor  of  Massachu- 
setts, 1702  to  1715.  He  promoted  the  interests  of  Harvard  College 
and  was  most  influential  in  giving  to  its  constitution  a  permanent 
character.  He  was  also  a  benefactor  of  the  Free  Schoole  of  Rox- 
bury.  He  married  Rebecca  Tyng,  and  died  in  Roxbury,  April  2, 
1720. 
Rebecca  Dudley,  wife  of  Mr.  Joseph  Dudley. 
Mary  Parker,  daughter  of  Edmund  Parker. 
12  m.  20  d.  1669.    Martha  Clark,  daughter  of  James  Qark. 

2  m.    3d.  1670.    Mary  Lamb,  wife  of  Caleb  Lamb. 

5  m.  17  d.  1670.    Hanna  White,  wife  of  Joseph  White. 

7  m.    4  d.  1670.  — 

Mary  Swan,  wife  of  Thomas  Swan. 

,  dau.  ©f  sister  Pitcher  and  wife  of  Bugbee,  dismissed 

from  Dorchester. 

8  m.  23  d.  1670.    Patience  Homes,  wife  of  Nathaniel  Homes. 

10  m.  18  d.  1670.    DecUne  Lamb,  alias  Smith. 

11  m.    8  d.  1670.    Deborah  Tatman,  wife  of  Jabez  Tatman. 

12  m.  19  d.  1670.  — 

Andrew  Gardiner. 

Sarah  Gardiner,  wife  of  Andrew  Gardiner. 

Sarah  Cleaves,  wife  of  William  Cleaves. 
2  m.    2d.  1671.     Susanna  Bennet,  wife  of  John  Bennet. 
2  m.  23  d.  1671.    John  Holdbroke,  dismissed  from  Dorchester.    Tanner. 


64  THE   FIRST   MEETING  HOUSE 

2  m.  30  d.  1671.  — 

Elizabeth  Whitney,  daughter  of  Robert  Harris. 

Mary  Davis,  wite  of  John  Davis. 

Hanna  Curtis,  wife  of  Isaac  Curtis. 

Sarah,  wife  to Sabin,  dismissed  to  Rehoboth. 

S  m.  11  d.  1671.    Tho.  Lyons. 

5  m.  23  d.  1671. — 

Mary  Evans,  wife  of  John  Evans. 

Edward  Porter,  Ann,  his  wife,  his  son  William  Porter,  his  daughter, 

Eb'zabeth   Nash,  Hanna   Dinely,  Mary  Bennit  &  Deborah    Porter 

were  all  dismissed  to  the  third  Church  in  Boston. 

8  m.  29  d.  1671.    Mary  Goard,  wife  of  Richard  Goard. 

1  m.  24  d.  1671/2.  — 

John  Lyons. 

Abigail  Lyons,  wife  of  John  Lyons. 

John  Pason,  see  Deacons,  Second  Meeting  House. 

Bathsheba  Pason,  wife  of  John  Pason. 

Rebecca  Curtis,  wife  of  John  Curtis. 

Mary  Bacon,  wife  of  Thomas  Bacon. 

Hanna  Seaver,  wife  of  Shubal  Seaver. 

Abigail  Clark,  wife  of  John  Clark. 

2  m.  20  d.  1673.  — 

William  Davies  (Davis),  emigrant  ancestor.    Died  Dec.  9,  1683.     Born 

in  1617  of  an  ancient  Welsh  fam.     m.  (1)  Elizabeth ;  m.  (2) 

Alice  Thorpe;  m.  (3)  Jane . 

John  Hams,  lived  in  Muddy  River. 

Mary  Harris,  wife  of  John  Harris. 

Mary  Denison. 

Hanna  Denison. 

Sarah  Denison. 

Experience  Pierpoint. 

Mary  Bowles. 

2  m.  20  d.  1673. — 

Abigail  Heath. 

Hanna  Heath. 
4  m.    8  d.  1673.  — 

Jane  Da\aes,  wife  of  William  Davies. 

Esther  Woodward,  wife  of  Thomas  Woodward. 

Mary  Bacon,  wife  of  Thomas  Bacon. 

Mary  Parkes,  a  maid. 

9  m.  23  d.  1673.    Samuel  Davis,  dismissed  to  North-Hampton. 


CHURCH   MEMBERS  65 

10  m.  21  d.  1673.    Samuel  Lyons,  dismissed  to  Rowley. 

11  m.    4  d.  1673.     Nathaniel  Brewer. 

11  m.   25  d.  1673.     Thomas  Bacon. 

12  m.    8  d.  1673.  — 

Margaret  Mason,  daughter  of  sister  Denison. 
Sarah  Davis,  wife  of  Joseph  Davis. 
Sarah  Pason,  daughter  of  Deacon  Pason. 
1  m.    8  d.  1673/4.        Richard  Woody  with  his  sons  Samuel  &  Richard 
&  daughters  Mary,  Martha   &  Elizabeth  were  dismissed  to  the 
3d  Church  in  Boston. 

1  m.  29  d.  1674.    Joseph  White,  of  Brookline. 

2  m.    5  d.  1674.  — 

Shubal  Seaver. 

Caleb  Seaver. 
2  m.  12  d.  1674.    Mr.  Greorge    Burrows,  was  a  minister,  H.    C.  1670, 
preaching  in  various  places  and  finally  became  a  victim  to  tne  witch- 
craft fanaticism  in  1692. 

2  m.  19  d.  1674.     Susanna  Bennett,  dismissed  to  the  hithermost  Church 

in  Boston. 

5  m.    3d.  1674.     Joanna,  wife  to  Rob*  Harwood,  dismissed  to  the  third 

Church  in  Boston. 

3  m.  24  d.  1674. — 

Nathaniel  Seaver,  farmer.    Killed  by  the  Indians  at  Sudbury. 
Sarah  Seaver,  wife  of  Nathaniel  Seaver. 
Sarah  Seaver,  wife  of  Caleb  Seaver. 

6  m.  30  d.  1674. — 

John  Winchester,  sen.,  lived  in  Muddy  River. 
Hanna  Winchester,  wife  of  John  Winchester,  sen. 
John  Winchester,  jim.,  lived  in  Muddy  River. 
Joanna  Winchester,  wife  of  John  Winchester,  jun. 
John  Druse,  removed  to  Newton. 
Mary  Druse,  wife  of  John  Druse. 


1674-1741 


PASTORS 


Rev.  Mr.  Nehemiah  Walter 
Rev.  Mr.  Thomas  Walter 

TEACHER 
Rev.  Mr.  John  Eliot 

RULING  ELDERS 

John  Bowles 

John  Peirpoynt        Samuel  Williams 

John  Bowles,  Jr. 

There  is  no  mention  of  an  Elder  between  1660  and  1674,  but  the  suppo- 
sition is  there  was  one  or  more. 

DEACONS 

William  Parke         Giles  Paison 

William  Gary    Samuel  Scarborough     John  Paison,  Sb. 

John  Mayo         John  May        John  Paison,  Jr. 

Edward  Ruggles      Samuel  Gridley 

PRECINCT  CLERKS 

Ebenezer  Pierpont    elected  Oct.  3,  1733 
John  Sumner  elected  March  12,  1735/6 

Joseph  Williams         elected  Feb.  20,  1738/9 

67 


68  THE   SECOND    MEETING   HOUSE 


PRECINCT   TREASURERS 

John  Walley  elected  Oct.  3,  1733 

Deacon  Edward  Ruggles  elected  March  12,  1735/6 

Joseph  Warren  elected  March  20,  1737/8 

PRECINCT   COMMITTEES 

or,  as  expressed  on  the  records,  a  Committee  to  Manage  the  Precinct  Affairs. 

Elected  Oct.  3,  1733. 

Edward  Dorr 
John  Wallet  Capt.  Joseph  Ruggles 

Elected  March  20,  1733/4 

John  Wallet 
John  Sumner  Col.  Joseph  Heath 

Elected  March  12,  1735/6 

Capt.  Joseph  Ruggles 
Ebenezer  Pierpont  John  Sumner 

Elected  March  16,  1736/7 

John  Sumner 
Capt.  Joseph  Ruggles         Eleazer  Williams 

Elected  March  12,  1738/9 

Capt.  Joseph  Ruggles 
Eleazer  Williams  Col.  Joseph  Heath 

Elected  March  10,  1739/40 

Col.  Joseph  Heath 
Col.  Joshua  Lamb  Joseph  Williams 

SEXTONS 

William  Cleaves  chosen  in  1669 

Widow  Cleaves  chosen  in  1677 

Widow  Stevens  (alias  Cleaves)  chosen  in  1678 

Edmund  Parker  chosen  in  1680 

John  Ruggles,  secundus  chosen  in  1690 


THE    SECOND    MEETING    HOUSE 


April  14,  1674,  "  the  selectmen  and  the  committee  met  at 
Sergt.  Ruggles's  and  there  toke  account  of  the  number  of 
hands  that  were  hh-ed  to  help  rare  the  nue  meeting-house." 
To  its  construction  the  people  of  Muddy  River  (Brookline) 
contributed  £104  5s.  having  no  meeting  house  of  their  own 
and  worshipped  here  until  the  organization  of  their  own 
place  of  worship  in  1717,  one  fifth  part  of  the  house  being 
allotted  to  them,  they  contributing  in  that  proportion  £6  45. 
towards  the  town's  expenses.  The  list  of  contributors  is  as 
follows:  Thomas  Gardner,  £10;  John  White,  Jr.,  £10; 
Peter  Aspinwall,  £7;  John  Sharpe,  Jr.,  £5;  Thomas  Boistan, 
£5;  Richard  Wolford,  £1  10s.;  Andrew  Gardner,  £5;  Joseph 
White,  £3;  Moises  Crafts,  £2;  Clement  Corban,  £1  IO5.; 
John  Evens,  155.;  John  Accers,  £1  IO5. ;  John  Winchester, 
£3;  Robert  Harrise,  £4;  John  Harise,  £2;  Benjamin  Child, 
£2;  Denman  Meriam,  £1;  John  Clarke,  £3;  Edward  Mills, 
IO5.;  James  Clarke,  £1  IO5.;  Edward  Devotion,  £5;  Henry 
Stevens,  £5;  John  Parker,  £1  IO5.;  Edward  Kube,  £1  IO5.; 
Goodwife  Keebe,  IO5.;  Mrs.  Mather  &  James  Rementon, 
£7;  Thomas  Woodward,  IO5. ;  Goodman  Winchester,  £7; 
Samuel  Dunkim,  £1  IO5. 

They  had  a  Raising  and  the  bill  of  expenses  and  provisions 
was  £20  155.  lOd.  There  was  also  £9  5s.  to  hands  for 
etceras.  Henry  Stevens  of  Boston  contributed  £5  towards 
building  this  meeting  house  because  some  of  his  family 
worshipped  here.     The  first  meeting  in  the  new  house  was 

69 


70  THE  SECOND   MEETING   HOUSE 

on  November  15,  1674,  only  four  days  before  the  death  of 
Rev.  Mr.  Danforth,  Ehot's  colleague.  Concerning  this  event 
Eliot  writes,  "we  first  met  and  worshipped  God  in  our 
new  meeting  house,  but  the  I'd  touched  or  thigh  because 
yesterday  my  bro  Danforth  fell  sick. " 

1674,  6  d.,  10  m.,  is  the  first  record  of  a  sabbath  school. 
"  This  day  we  restored  a  primitive  practice  for  ye  training 
up  of  our  youth,"  and  then  reciting,  "  1st,  that  the  male 
youth  (in  fitting  season)  stey,  every  sabbath,  after  morning 
exercise,  and  the  elders  examine  their  remembrance  in 
every  part  of  the  catechism.  2d,  that  the  female  youth 
should  also  meet  in  one  place  and  their  elders  examine 
their  remembrance  in  the  catechism,  and  whatever  else  may 
convene. " 

15  d.  10  m,  1674  a  fast  held  at  our  church  to  humble 
ourselves  under  the  mighty  &  awful  hand  of  God,  and  to 
seek  his  favor  and  guidance  of  the  church,  for  the  healing  of 
wounds  &  beautifying  God's  house,  in  all  things  defective 
or  out  of  order,  William  Cleaves  was  the  first  sexton  in 
charge  of  this  meeting  house  and  served  until  King  Philip's 
war  when  he  was  killed  in  the  Sudbury  fight  and  his  widow 

took  his  place.     She  married Stevens  within  a  year 

and  continued  the  duties  until  1680  when  she  was  succeeded 
by  Edmund  Parker.  She  had  been  paid  £S  for  Ringing  the 
Bell  and  sweeping  the  Metting  House. 

In  1678  it  was  agreed  that  "  Scollers  not  to  keep  Scoole  in 
the  Meeting  House  without  the  consent  of  the  town. " 

In  1680  Edmund  Parker  as  sexton  was  to  have  thirty 
shillings  of  his  three  pound  payd  in  money,  from  which  it 
may  be  understood  that  the  rest  of  his  pay  was  in  another 
form. 

4  d.  7  m.  1681  sister  Cleaves  (alias  Stevens)  was  publickly 
admonished  for  unseasonable   entertaining   and   corrupting 


THE   SECOND    MEETING   HOUSE  71 

other  folks  servants  &  children  and  hath  corrupted  Mr. 
Lambs  neger. 

In  1682  it  was  found  necessary  to  enlarge  the  seating 
capacity,  which  had  been  in  charge  of  the  Elders  and  Deacons 
and  Selectmen,  by  building  a  gallery,  and  a  committee  was 
appointed  consisting  of  John  Weld  senior,  Leftenant  Samuel 
Ruggles  and  William  Gery  to  joyne  with  the  Selectmen  in 
viewing  the  work  and  agreing  with  some  workmen  to  do  it 
as  speedily  as  may  be,  provided  that  our  brethren  at  Muddy 
River  have  information  of  the  met'ing  about  it,  and  have 
liberty  to  send  some  person  to  joyne  with  the  above  said  men 
in  consulting  and  carrying  on  the  aforesaid  work,  if  they 
please.  Also  they  were  to  consult  as  to  the  most  convenient 
passage  unto  the  Bell  in  the  inside  of  the  met'ing  house  and 
to  provide  for  the  same. 

15  d.  4  m.  1684.  On  the  admission  into  the  church  of 
several  women  these  did  orally  confess,  etc.,  &  also  gave  in 
the  substance  of  their  confessions  in  writg,  all  which  were 
publickly  read  yt  day,  &  yei  wr  received  into  the  full  com- 
munion of  the  church  by  yt.  gospel  a  act  o  renewing  theere 
explicit  covenant. 

19  d.  9  m.  1685.  Towards  the  end  of  this  year  some 
naughty  person  made  and  divulged  a  libel  for  which  3  were 
censured  by  civil  authority.  The  church  take  notice  of  Six, 
who  humbled  themselves  by  publik  confession  &  we  have 
cause  to  hope  yt.  the  full  proceeding  of  discipline  will  doe 
more  good  yu  theire  sin  hath  done  hurt. 

Dec.  30,  1687,  Edmund  Parker  was  granted  as  usual  for 
ringing  the  bell,  etc.,  half  money  £3,  but  in  the  following 
January  by  reason  of  the  failure  of  money  the  town  altered 
the  quality  of  the  mony  part  to  countrey  pay  and  added  ten 
shillings  to  it  in  the  same  species;  for  which  (being  three 
pounds  and  ten  shillings  in  Countrey  pay)  sd.     Parker  cove- 


72  THE   SECOND    MEETING   HOUSE 

nanted  to  officiated  the  yeare  following.  In  December  of 
the  same  year  he  was  allowed  thirty-two  shillings  and  six 
pence  income  for  the  same  services. 

July  8,  1688,  the  Church  voted  that  out  of  two  persons, 
viz. :  Mr.  John  Rogers  and  Mr.  Nehemiah  Walter,  they  would 
make  their  choice  as  God  should  direct  for  a  standing  help  in 
the  Dispensation  of  the  word  of  God  and  in  order  to  office. 

July  15  the  Church  elected  by  papers  and  the  Voice  of 
God  by  the  Church  was  for  Mr.  Walter  and  Sept.  9  the  Church 
and  congregation  gave  Mr.  Nehemiah  Walter  a  call  to 
accept  of  office. 

In  the  Dorchester  records  we  read  that  on  the  7  of  Oct. 
1688  was  read  a  letter  yt  came  from  ye  church  at  Rocksbery 
desiering  ye  church  to  send  ther  Elders  &  messengers  to  ye 
ordaining  of  Mr.  Walters  on  ye  17  Instant  the  church  ap- 
pointed ye  Elders  &  Deacon  Capen  &  Deacon  Preston  for 
yt.  work. 

Oct.  17,  1688  Rev.  Mr.  Nehemiah  Walter  was  ordained 
Pastor  by  the  imposition  of  hands  and  prayer. 

Judge  Samuel  Sewall  thus  speaks  of  this  event  in  his 
Diary:  "Ride  in  the  Hackney  Coach  with  Governor  Brad- 
street,  his  lady,  Mrs.  Willard,  Mrs.  Mercy  Bradstreet,  Josiah 
Willard,  to  Roxbury  to  the  Ordination  of  Nehemiah  Walter, 
Mr.  Eliot,  Allen,  Willard,  Danforth  of  Dorchester  laid  on 
hands.  Mr.  Eliot  ordained.  Mr.  Allen  gave  the  Right  Hand 
of  Fellowship.  Mr.  Walter  gave  the  Blessing.  Dined  at 
Mr.  Dudley's." 

In  1689  the  old  bell  being  split  and  so  rendered  altogether 
useless  or  unserviceable  in  that  state,  it  was  voted  to  procure 
a  new  bell  and  Capt.  Samuel  Ruggles,  Mr.  Joshua  Lamb, 
John  Gore  and  Samuel  Gore  were  chosen  a  committee  to 
act  on  this  matter  and  to  dispose  of  the  old  bell  toward  the 
purchase  thereof. 


THE  SECOND    MEETING   HOUSE  73 

In  1690,  as  the  congregation  was  becoming  larger,  and  so 
making  it  necessary  to  enlarge  the  accommodations,  it  was 
granted  to  Joseph  Weld  Jun,,  Abiel  Davis,  Philip  Searle, 
Joseph  Warren,  Richard  Davis,  Thomas  Aspinwall,  John 
Walworth  and  John  Sharpe  to  have  the  backward  seate  in 
the  lower  front  Galery  in  the  Meeting  house  and  liberty  to 
make  it  according  to  their  own  minds,  upon  their  own  Cost 
and  charge  (not  doing  any  damage  to  any  other  Seate),  and 
to  Enjoy  the  same  to  themselves  and  such  as  they  shall  see 
good  to  take  in  with  them.  At  the  same  time  John  Ruggles, 
Secundus,  for  his  services  to  the  town  in  looking  to  the 
meeting  house,  was  allowed  £1. 

In  1692  it  was  agreed  that  three  men  should  be  annually 
chosen  for  the  seating  of  persons  in  the  meeting  house,  one  of 
which  three  men  should  be  of  Muddy  River  and  chosen  by 
the  Inhabitants  there,  the  other  two  to  be  Inhabitants  of 
Roxbury,  and  to  be  annually  chosen  on  the  first  Monday  in 
March  in  each  year,  but  this  plan  was  not  successful  and  in 
1694  the  duty  was  left  to  the  Church  officers  and  Selectmen 
of  the  Town  until  a  better  way  could  be  found. 

Hitherto  the  floor  of  the  meeting  house  had  been  occupied 
by  seats  only,  but  in  1693  the  first  mention  of  pews  occurs, 
when  liberty  was  given  to  build  pues  around  the  meeting 
house  except  where  the  boys  do  sit,  upon  the  charge  of  those 
who  desire  the  same,  to  have  consent  of  the  committee,  and 
this  only  to  be  granted  to  meet  persons,  for  them  to  enjoy  and 
they  and  their  families  to  fill  the  pews  or  else  the  committee 
to  do  it  for  them,  the  use  of  this  grant  being  to  save  room 
and  not  to  lose  it,  but  if  any  died  the  pews  to  return  to  the 
town  and  no  one  had  the  right  to  sell. 

The  locality  of  the  pews  were  as  follows:  Behind  Mrs. 
Denison's  seat,  and  ranging  with  Mr,  Walter's  pew,  was 
Palsgrave  Alcock's.     The   remainder   of   that   corner   was 


74  THE   SECOND    MEETING   HOUSE 

cut  up  into  two  pews,  one  for  Jas.  Bailey  and  one  for  Capt. 
Saunders,  the  one  having  the  innermost  to  pass  through  the 
other.  Capt.  Timo.  Stevens  built  his  next  the  door  at  the 
South  end  on  the  right  hand,  and  John  Howard  between 
that  and  the  stairs  to  the  women's  gallery.  Eben  Pierpont's 
was  on  the  right  coming  in  at  the  front  door,  and  Jos.  Gard- 
ner's between  that  and  the  men's  gallery  stairs.  Opposite 
those  was  Sam'l  Ruggles.  On  the  left  of  the  North  door 
was  Edward  Dor's  and  between  that  and  the  stairs  to  the 
men's  gallery  was  Edward  Weld's.  John  Gore's  was  by 
the  pulpit  stairs. 

March  1695/6  it  was  voted  that  the  upper  galleries  be 
lowered  and  any  person  might  lower  the  upper  gallery  who 
would  do  it  at  his  own  cost. 

In  1699  £3  allowed  "by  a  close  vote"  to  build  a  porch 
and  several  young  men  were  given  liberty  to  raise  the  hind 
seats  in  the  North  gallery  at  their  own  cost  and  charges,  also 
the  hind  seat  in  the  front  gallery. 

In  1703  the  charge  of  building  the  Governor's  pue  was  to 
be  paid  by  the  town  and  in  the  same  year  the  turret  was  to 
be  repaired.  It  seems  that  the  intention  to  build  pews  in 
1693/4  was  not  carried  out,  and  the  proposition  was  again 
brought  up  in  1705/6. 

In  March,  1707/8,  two  porches  were  to  be  huilt  from  the 
£10  185.  contributed  for  the  redemption  of  certain  captives 
but  not  improved  for  that  use.  Muddy  River  was  to  be 
consulted  about  it. 

In  1706  a  considerable  number  of  people  who  lived  in  the 
westerly  part  of  Roxbury  commonly  called  Jamaica  End 
found  it  inconvenient  to  attend  worship  in  the  First  Church 
and  prayed  the  General  Court  to  be  made  a  separate  pre- 
cinct, to  be  freed  from  taxes  for  the  old  parish,  and  for  aid 
in  building  a  meeting  house.     This  was  not  granted. 


THE  SECOND    MEETING   HOUSE  75 

On  Feb.  7,  1711,  they  sent  an  humble  address  signed  by 
thirty-two  men  to  the  Roxbury  Town  Meeting,  with  a 
sincere  desire  to  give  Christian  satisfaction  for  any  disorderly 
steps  in  their  late  proceedings.  Their  petition  was  acceded 
to  so  far  as  to  constitute  a  new  precinct.  Eighteen  members 
of  the  First  Church  were  set  off  to  form  the  Second  Church. 

There  does  not  seem  to  be  any  evidence  in  the  church 
records  that  anything  was  accomplished  toward  purchasing 
a  new  bell  since  the  subject  was  first  acted  upon  in  1689, 
until  1711  when  the  town  took  active  measures  and  voted  to 
procure  a  new  one  and  gave  orders  to  Mr.  William  Clarke 
concerning  it,  which  are  as  follows  : 

Roxbury  the  16th  of  December,  1711. 

Mr.  William  Clarke  you  being  bound  for  England  in  Her  Majesties  Ship 
"Norwich"  on  board  of  which  ship  we  have  a  cask  of  Bell  mettle  marked  on 
one  head  W.  C.  and  on  the  other  3  c  2.11  hereby  consigned  to  yourself  the 
Receipt  for  which  you  allso  have.  We  desire  you'l  please  to  dispose  of  as 
follows : 

On  your  arrival  at  Plimoth  or  Portsmouth  if  the  "Norwich"  proceed  no 

farther  towards  London  we  desire  you  to  Land  it  at  either  of  these  ports 

and  if  you  can  neither  dispose  of  it  there  to  good  advantage  nor  have  it  new 

Runn  at  the  usual  price  please  to  order  it  to  be  carried  by  land  and  when  it 

arrives  at  London  you'le  please  to  procure  a  good  sound  Bell  of  3  hundred 

weight  at  least  by  the  disposal  of  our  mettal  and  advancing  what  is  prof)er 

on  the  different  of   Cast  and  uncast  mettle  or  having  our  mettle   new  cast 

which    done   you'le   please   to  pay   for   the   casting   thereof    for    which 

you   have   a  Bill   of   Exchange   of  Ten  pounds   sterling   on   Mr.   James 

Duglas  merchant  of  London  out  of  which  take  any  of  the  above  charges 

after  which  we  desire  you'le  take  the  first  safe  opportunity  either  by  any  of 

the  Queens  ships  or  other  good  merchant  ship  with  convoy  bound  to  this 

place  and  ship  it  on  board  consigned  to  any  of  us  allways  taking  care  either 

to  enter  it  at  the  Custom  house  as  a  ship  Bell  or  in  cask  as  other  wrought 

mettal  that  it  may  be  safe,  and  if  after  you  have  effected  this  matter  we 

remain  anything  in  your  debt  we  shall  see  to  the  punctual  payment  thereof. 

We  have  nothing  further  to  adH,  not  doubting  of  your  utmost  care  and  good 

management  we  wish  you  a  good  voyage  and  safe  return  and  remain  your 

most  humble  and  faithful  servants.  „r  t^ 

^  William  Dudley 

Samuel  Ruggles 

John  Mayo. 


76  THE   SECOND    MEETING   HOUSE 

In  March,  1717,  a  committee,  consisting  of  Mr.  Edward 
Dorr,  Mr.  Jacob  Pepper,  Capt,  Stephen  Williams,  Richard 
Hall,  Sen.,  and  Mr.  Robert  Calef,  was  chosen  to  seat  persons 
in  the  meeting  house  and  in  order  to  meet  the  general  desire 
they  were  to  have  respect  to  the  age  and  estate  of  all  in  their 
seating  of  them. 

Att  a  church  meeting  held  the  first  day  of  March  1717/8 
it  was  unanimously  agreed  and  voted  as  follows : 

1.  That  it  was  necessary  to  chuse  some  meet  person  for  an  assistant  to 
our  reverend  pastor. 

2.  It  was  agreed  and  voted  to  chuse  such  assistant  att  the  present  meeting. 
Accordingly  the  votes  being  brought  in  and  counted,  every  vote  was  for  Mr. 
Thomas  Walter,  son  of  the  reverend  pastor. 

3.  The  said  church  chose  and  appomted  the  deacons  a  committee  to 
acquaint  Mr.  Walter  herewith,  and  inform  the  inhabitants  of  the  town  in 
their  next  meeting  with  the  church's  doings,  in  order  for  their  future  pro- 
ceeding. 

"May  13,  1718.  The  town  (having  had  legal  warning) 
meet  to  chuse  a  representative,  and  to  consider  of  a  settle- 
ment for  Mr.  Thomas  Walter.  Voted  that  there  should  be 
sixty  pounds  raised  for  Mr.  Walter,  as  encouragement  to  his 
settling  among  us." 

Rev.  Mr.  Thomas  Walter  was  ordained  Pastor,  Oct.  19, 
1718. 

At  a  meeting  held  Aug.  7,  1727,  it  was  voted : 

(1)  That  for  the  future  it  shall  suJEEce  to  have  the  relations  of  such  as  are 
propounded  for  the  communion  read  before  the  church  only. 

(2)  Whereas  there  are  or  may  be  sundry  persons  among  us  Desirous  of 
Church  fellowship  who  cannot  be  Persuaded  to  make  a  Public  Rotation  and 
Really  scruple  the  doing  it  oflF  whose  profession  and  Good  conversation  we 
may  have  such  Testimony  as  in  a  Judgement  of  Charity  to  think  them  well 
qualified  for  the  sacrament  of  the  Lord  Supper. 

Resolved  That  if  any  Person  who  stands  propounded  to  the  communion 
of  this  church  whose  Profession  is  according  to  Godliness  and  of  a  blameless 
conversation  that  Really  scruples  the  making  Public  Relation  before  the 
church  in  order  to  admission  and  shall  signify  such  their  scruple  to  the  Rev. 
Pastor  giving  him  at  the  same  time  such  satisfaction  as  y*  he  may  Recommend 


THE   SECOND    MEETING   HOUSE  77 

them  to  our  communion  in  that  case  this  church  will  not  Insist  upon  the 
Public  Rotations  of  such  persons.  But  the  Rev.  Pastor  may  proceed  to 
take  ye  Vote  of  the  Church  for  their  admission  upon  their  Renewing  the 
Covenant  as  usual. 

In  1727/8  persons  who  have  windows  in  their  pues  on  the 
lower  floor  shall  maintain  the  glass  belonging  to  them  and 
pews  becoming  vacant  to  be  disposed  of  by  the  Society. 

Paul  Dudley,  afterwards  Chief  Justice  of  Massachusetts, 
was  a  benefactor  to  this  church  as  was  his  father  before  him, 
and  Feb.  24,  1728/9,  first  showed  his  liberality  by  giving  to 
the  Deacons  to  take  care  of,  the  sum  of  Fifty  pounds  in  money 
the  Principal  to  be  from  time  to  time  Let  and  kept  out  on 
good  security  and  that  the  yearly  interest  was  to  be  applied 
as  follows.  That  at  all  times  hereafter  the  Relict  or  widow  of 
the  minister  of  the  church  shall  be  entitled  to  the  sole  benefit 
of  the  yearly  profits  or  Interest  during  her  widdowhood  and 
in  case  there  be  no  such  widow  to  be  bestowed  on  any  one, 
two  or  three  (but  no  more)  of  the  said  church,  that  may  stand 
in  need  thereof,  from  time  to  time  at  the  discretion  of  the 
Deacons,  taking  his  advice  as  long  as  he  lived  and  after  his 
decease  the  advice  of  the  minister  of  the  2^  Church  for 
the  time  being.  He  wished  so  long  as  Mrs.  Rebecca  Walter, 
the  widow  of  the  late  Rev.  Mr.  Thomas  Walter,  remained  his 
widow  that  she  should  have  twenty  shillings  per  annum, 
being  a  part  of  the  Interest.  In  case  Madam  Walter,  the 
present  pastor's  wife,  should  survive  her  husband  and  her 
daughter-in-law  remain  likewise  a  widow  he  wished  the 
mother  to  have  two  thirds  and  the  daughter  one  third  of  the 
yearly  profits. 

It  seems  that  the  congregation  was  at  times  disturbed  by 
noise  the  boys  made,  and  in  March,  1730,  it  was  voted  "That 
all  Boys  under  the  age  of  14  years  shall  be  restrained  from 
going  up  into  the  Galleries  in  time  of  Public  Worship. " 


78  THE   SECOND   MEETING   HOUSE 

The  boys'  seats  had  some  years  before  been  granted  to 
members  of  the  congregation  to  make  them  pews,  but  as 
nothing  had  evidently  been  accompHshed,  in  1732  Joseph 
Heath  and  his  brother  Samuel  asked  to  have  the  committee, 
appointed  for  seating  the  Meeting  house,  directed  to  lay  out 
their  Father's  right  to  a  pew  in  that  place  adjoining  Mr. 
Gore's  Pew,  At  the  same  time  Sarah  Williams,  Mary 
Shed,  Elizabeth  Williams,  Elizabeth  Craft  and  Hannah 
Ruggles  were  given  permission  to  fit  up  the  hind  seat  in  the 
Womens'  Front  gallery  to  sit  in. 

In  1732  another  benefactor  to  this  church  appeared  in 
the  person  of  Mrs.  Dorothy  Williams,  wife  of  Samuel  Williams, 
and  formerly  the  wife  of  William  Denison,  late  of  Roxbury, 
gentleman,  who  in  accordance  with  the  will  of  her  former 
husband,  as  she  had  been  the  sole  legatee,  raised  the  sum  of 
Two  hundred  pounds  by  the  sale  of  a  piece  of  land  in  Rox- 
bury which  was  part  of  the  Real  Estate  of  the  said  William 
Denison  and  also,  as  was  expressed  in  the  will,  with  the 
advice  of  Reverd  Mr.  Nehemiah  Walter,  and  committed  it 
to  and  lodged  in  the  hands  of  John  Mayo,  cordwainer,  John 
Payson  and  Edward  Ruggles,  yeomen,  Deacons  of  the  First 
Church  of  Christ  in  Roxbury  and  their  successors  in  office 
to  be  by  them  or  the  major  part  of  them  let  out  upon  good 
security  at  their  discretion  (but  not  in  sums  under  Twenty 
pounds)  and  the  annual  income  or  yearly  Literest  to  be 
applied  for  and  towards  the  support  and  maintenance  of  the 
Reverd  Mr.  Nehemiah  Walter,  Pastor  of  the  First  Church, 
and  the  Reverd  Mr.  Ebenezer  Thayer,  Pastor  of  the  Second 
Church  in  Roxbury,  and  their  successors  in  the  Pastoral 
office  of  the  said  churches  (according  to  the  present  con- 
stitution of  the  churches  in  New  England)  in  Proportion  as 
follows:  Three-quarter  parts  of  the  annual  interest  or 
income  to  be  to  and  for  the  benefit  of  the  Reverend  Mr. 


THE  SECOND   MEETING   HOUSE  79 

Nehemiah  Walter  for  and  during  the  term  of  his  natural  life 
and  from  and  after  his  death  to  and  for  the  benefit  of  his 
successors  in  the  church  and  office  aforesaid,  the  other 
.quarter  part  to  be  to  and  for  the  benefit  of  the  Reverend 
Mr.  Ebenezer  Thayer  for  and  during  the  term  of  his  natural 
life  and  his  successors  in  the  office  aforesaid  in  the  Second 
Church  in  Roxbury.  The  above  gift  was  formerly  accepted 
by  Deacon  John  Payson  and  Deacon  Edward  Ruggles,  Dec. 
19,  1732. 

The  yearly  expense  for  the  support  of  the  church  was 
somewhat  difPerent  each  year.  In  1736  .£100  was  voted  for 
the  pastor's  rate,  for  the  cost  of  procuring  firewood  for  Mr. 
Walter  (which  was  cut  on  the  common  until  the  supply  gave 
out);  ringing  the  bell  and  taking  care  of  the  meeting  house 
£22,  for  procuring  help  for  Mr.  Walter  in  the  work  of  the 
ministry  £52,  and  £13  for  other  expenses.  A  Committee 
was  appointed  each  year  for  many  years  to  procure  help  for 
our  Rev.  Pastor. 

In  1734  the  precinct  at  the  West  End  of  the  town  levied  a 
tax  on  several  persons  and  estates  in  this  precinct,  so  a  com- 
mittee, appointed  for  that  purpose,  were  instructed  to  assert 
the  line  of  this  precinct  and  to  take  all  due  care  to  prevent 
the  said  persons  being  oppressed  by  obtaining  a  settlement 
of  the  line  according  to  the  bounds  contained  in  the  petition 
the  inhabitants  of  the  West  End  were  set  off  by  in  1706. 
This  affair  was  finally  adjusted  the  next  year  and  the  town 
was  divided  by  a  line  showing  who  should  be  considered 
members  of  this  church  and  who  of  the  West  End. 

In  March,  1736,  the  subject  of  building  a  new  meeting 
house  was  first  taken  up  and  its  position  considered  as  to 
whether  it  should  be  built  on  the  same  spot  as  this  one  or 
between  it  and  the  house  of  Mr.  Samuel  Gridley  somewhat 
north  of  this  one.     One  of  the  spots  suggested  was  between 


80  THE  SECOND    MEETING   HOUSE 

Mr.  Gridley's  Barn  and  the  West  comer  of  his  Orchard  as 
near  the  fence  as  conveniently  may  be. 

Hon^ie  Paul  Dudley,  Coll.  Heath,  Coll.  Lamb,  Mr.  Shed, 
Capt.  Ruggles,  Mr.  Eleazer  Williams,  Mr.  Nathaniel  Craft, 
Mr.  Ebenezer  Pierpont,  Mr.  Ebenezer  Newel,  John  Sumner, 
Capt.  Mayo,  Mr.  Isaac  Curtis  and  Mr.  Joseph  Warren  were 
chosen  a  committee  to  lay  before  the  Precinct  at  their  next 
meeting  the  Plan  of  a  New  Meeting  House,  also  how  and  in 
what  manner  the  said  Building  shall  be  effected,  particularly 
the  Dimentions  of  it,  the  Number  of  Pews  to  be  in  it  with  the 
Charge  of  the  whole  Building  as  near  as  they  can  judge  and 
that  they  agree  upon  the  Dimentions  of  the  Pews  and  the 
value  of  them,  as  well  those  to  be  Built  on  the  Floor  as  those 
to  be  Built  in  the  Galleries,  so  as  to  reach  in  the  whole  the  sum 
of  One  Thousand  Pounds,  and  that  they  agree  upon  some 
just  and  equal  method  for  the  disposing  of  the  pews. 

The  question  was  raised  as  to  how  the  money  to  build  a 
new  meeting  house  might  be  obtained,  and  a  committee  con- 
sisting of  Capt.  Isaac  Williams,  Capt.  Joseph  Ruggles,  Col. 
Joshua  Lamb,  Col.  Joseph  Heath,  Mr.  Eleazer  Williams 
and  Mr.  Ebenezer  Pierpont  was  chosen  to  present  a  sub- 
scription for  that  purpose. 

It  was  finally  decided  that  the  New  Meeting  House  should 
be  built  Northward  of  the  Place  where  the  Old  Meeting 
House  stands  not  exceeding  Four  Rods,  and  that  it  was  to 
be  62  feet  long,  42  feet  wide,  the  Posts  about  26  feet  high,  38 
pews  on  the  floor,  one  tier  of  galleries  and  a  Steeple  at  the 
West  end.  Number  of  pews  to  be  built  in  Galleries  shall  not 
exceed  12  nor  be  under  8  at  <£10  each. 

It  was  also  decided  that  a  Rate  be  made  upon  the  Poles 
and  Estates  of  the  Inhabitants  of  the  Precinct  to  Raise  Eight 
Hundred  Pounds  and  the  subscriptions  to  be  laid  aside. 

Then  it  was  Proposed  that  no  Pew  or  Pews  be  sold  or 


THE   SECOND    MEETING   HOUSE  81 

alienated  by  the  persons  that  first  have  them,  or  their  suc- 
cessors, without  first  making  the  offer  thereof  to  the  Precinct 
or  the  Committee,  they  Have  or  shall  Chose  for  that  Purpose 
giving  at  least  one  Month's  Notice  thereof,  and  in  case  the 
Precinct  or  their  Committee  will  repay  to  such  Person  or 
Persons  the  Money  Paid  for  such  Pew  they  shall  Have  it  to 
Dispose  of  to  some  other  suitable  Person  as  they  shall  see 
Meet;  but  in  case  the  Precinct  or  their  Committee  Refuse 
the  offer,  then  the  owner  or  Proprietor  of  such  Pew  may 
Dispose  of  it  at  Pleasure.  That  the  First  Offer  of  the  Pews 
be  made  to  such  Persons  as  are  of  Character  and  Substance, 
and  who  in  probability  may  be  judged  likely  to  Support  in 
good  proportion  the  charge  of  the  Ministry  and  Meeting 
House  in  the  Precinct;  and  in  case  of  any  competition  or 
Equality  as  to  Persons  or  to  Families,  then  Regard  to  be  had 
to  such  Persons  or  Families  or  their  Descendants  as  were 
among  the  Antient  Worthy  Families  of  this  End  of  the  Town 
who  were  Remarkable  for  their  Character  and  Support  of 
Religion  among  us.  In  case  there  should  not  appear  a 
sufficient  number  of  Persons  and  Families  Qualified  as 
afores*^  to  take  the  Pews  at  such  a  Price  as  shall  be  set  upon 
them,  then  the  offer  to  be  made  to  Such  Persons  as  will  Pay 
for  them.  Provided  they  are  likewise  persons  of  good  Sub- 
stance and  likely  to  Contribute  a  good  Proportion  to  the 
charge  of  the  Ministry  in  time  to  come  and  are  of  good 
Reputation  and  Sober  conversation.  A  Committee  was 
chosen  to  Dispose  of  the  Pews  in  the  Method  above  noted 
and  consisted  of  the  Hon^^®  Judge  Dudley,  Joseph  Heath, 
Esq.,  John  Sumner,  Mr.  Ebenezer  Pierpont,  Maj.  John 
Bowles,  Esq.,  Mr.  Shubael  Seaver,  Mr.  Eleazer  Williams, 
Mr.  Samuel  Williams,  Mr.  James  Shed,  Capt.  Joseph  Ruggles, 
Capt.  Samuel  Stevens,  Mr.  John  Ruggles,  Mr.  Ebenezer 
Newell,  Mr.  William  Cheany  and  Coll.  Joshua  Lamb. 


82  THE   SECOND   MEETING   HOUSE 

It  was  also  voted  that  Twelve  Hundred  Pounds  be  Raised 
by  the  Pews  for  the  Building  of  the  New  Meeting  House  and 
also  that  seven  Persons  be  chosen  to  effect  the  Business  of 
Building,  and  they  were  to  be  Capt.  Joseph  Ruggles,  Mr. 
Ebenezer  Pierpont,  John  Sumner,  Coll.  Joseph  Heath,  Esq., 
Capt,  Edward  Dorr,  Mr,  James  Shed  and  Mr,  Samuel  Gore. 
Capt,  Dorr  refused  to  serve  and  Mr.  Jolui  Holbrook  was 
appointed  to  serve  in  his  Room.  Capt.  John  Richardson 
was  appointed  on  above  committee  in  the  Room  of  Mr. 
John  Sumner  who  moved  out  of  town.  The  above  com- 
mittee was  given  Power  to  Agree  with  One  Person  or  more 
to  Build  it  by  the  Great  and  not  by  Days  Work.  Also  they 
were  not  to  exceed  the  space  of  Three  Years  until  the  whole 
be  Finished ;  this  was  cut  dowm  to  two  years  from  Feb.  1738/9. 
In  March  1738/9  another  attempt  was  made  to  have  it  built 
on  the  Northerly  side  of  the  Country  Road  near  Deacon 
Sam'l  Gridley's  orchard  but  it  was  frustrated.  Deacon 
John  Payson  (Jr.)  was  already  set  off  to  the  West  Precinct. 

It  had  already  been  voted  that  Paul  Dudley,  Esq.,  have  the 
Liberty  of  Purchasing  the  two  feet  more  or  less  overplus  of  the 
Pews  on  the  east  side  of  the  pulpit,  he  paying  therefor  in 
proportion  to  his  Pew,  and  that  the  two  feet  more  or  less  on 
the  West  side  of  the  Pulpit  shall  be  for  the  use  of  the  Precinct. 
As  it  had  all  along  been  concluded  that  the  Wall  pews  should 
have  but  six  feet  front  each  and  it  having  been  suggested 
that  as  they  are  Described  in  the  plan  there  will  be  Some 
breakage  in  Some  of  the  ranges  of  those  pews  which  the 
Community  Desire  to  have  the  advantage  of,  it  was  therefor 
voted  that  the  proprietors  in  each  range  have  liberty  to 
Divide  the  same  between  them,  except  what  was  already 
granted  to  Judge  Dudley,  provided  they  should  be  obliged 
to  pay  to  the  precinct  Treasurer,  for  the  use  of  the  Com- 
mittee for  building,  a  further  sum  in  proportion  to  the  several 


THE   SECOND    MEETING   HOUSE  83 

prizes  already  set  on  their  pews  in  each  range  respectively. 
And  he  that  refuses  so  to  oblige  himself  shall  forfeit  his  part 
of  said  breakage  to  the  rest  of  the  proprietors  in  the  same 
range.  It  was  also  decided  that  stairs  going  up  into  the 
galleries  be  made  in  the  steeple  and  one  porch  of  the  meeting 
house,  and  that  two  pews  be  added  on  the  floor  in  the  corners 
formerly  projected  for  the  stairs.  The  pews  were  all  Drawn 
except  five  in  the  galleries. 

In  April,  1740,  the  sum  of  £60  was  voted  to  be  raised  to 
provide  for  a  Raising  Entertainment. 

It  was  also  voted  that  as  soon  as  the  cells  of  the  new  meeting 
house  were  framed  that  then  the  old  house  should  be  pulled 
down. 


84  THE   SECOND    MEETING   HOUSE 


REV.  MR.  NEHEMIAH  WALTER 

Nehemiah  Walter  was  the  Son  of  worthy  Parents,  who 
originally  came  from  Lancafhire  in  England.  He  had  his 
Birth  in  Ireland  fometime  in  December  1663.  And  there 
was  initiated  in  Grammar-Learning  at  one  of  their  beft 
Schools,  where  he  diftinguifh'd  himfelf  by  his  Proficiency: 
particularly  in  the  Latin  Tongue,  which  by  that  Time  he 
was  13  years  old,  he  was  fuch  a  Mafter  of,  as  to  be  capable 
of  readily  converfing  in  it,  which  he  often  had  Opportunity 
to  do,  with  Popifh  Scholars  in  his  Neighbourhood,  who  had 
learnt  to  fpeak  it  rather  more  fluently,  by  Rote;  and  in  his 
Difputes  with  them,  he  found  it  a  fingular  Advantage  to 
him,  that  he  had  such  frequent  Occafion  to  tax  them  of 
falfe  Grammar,  and  cou'd  cite  them  to  the  Rule:  which 
ferv'd  to  put  them  to  the  Blufh  or  at  leaft  bring  them  to  a 
Paufe,  and  to  give  him  Leafure  to  recollect  his  Thoughts. 

Sometime  in  (or  perhaps  a  little  before)  the  Year  1680 
when  the  Prevalence  of  Popery  greatly  threatned  Ireland,  his 
Father  Mr.  Thomas  Walter  removed  thence,  and  came  over 
to  New  England;  bringing  with  him  this  his  hopeful  Son. 
Here  he  was  firft  put  to  learn  a  Trade:  but  it  was  foon  found, 
his  Genius  lay  quite  another  Way  and  inclined  him  wholly 
to  Letters. 

His  Book  was  his  Delight.  Accordingly,  with  a  View  to 
perfect  his  School-Education,  and  prepare  him  for  the 
College,  he  was  committed  to  the  Care  of  the  famous  Mr. 
Cheever,  then  Mafter  of  the  Publick  Grammar  School  in 
Bofton;  who,  upon  a  fhort  Examination  and  Experiment, 
return'd  him  to  his  Father,  with  a  great  Encomium,  pronoun- 
cing him  already  ftock'd  with  Claffick  Learning,  and 
abundantly  furnifh'd  to  enter  upon  Academical  Studies. 


REV.   MR.   NEHEMIAH    WALTER  85 

In  the  17*^  Year  of  his  Age,  he  was  admitted  into  Harvard 
College,  A.D.  1680,  when  the  very  learned  Mr.  Oakes  was 
Prefident,  and  Mr.  Daniel  Gookin  and  Mr.  Samuel  Andrews, 
Fellows:  though  the  former  of  thefe  soon  removing,  waf 
fucceeded  by  Mr.  John  Cotton,  afterwards  Minifter  of 
Hampton;  who  always  mention'd  Mr.  Walter's  Name  with 
peculiar  Affection  and  Refpect,  and  wou'd  frequently  take 
occafion  to  fpeak  of  his  fingular  Progrefs  in  Learning  while 
a  Student  at  Cambridge,  with  much  Applaufe, 

Anno  1684,  he  commenc'd  Batchelor  of  Arts;  and  Mafter 
in  1687.  In  the  Interim,  Mr.  Nelson,  a  noted  Merchant  in 
Bo f ton,  who  had  a  great  Intereft  and  Trade  with  the  French 
at  Port  Royal  (now  Annapolis)  in  Nova  Scotia,  made  him 
the  Offer  of  a  Voyage  with  him  thither,  in  order  to  learn  their 
Language;  which  Invitation  he  gratefully  accepted.  And 
the  more  fpeedily  to  effect  his  Defign,  prefently  on  his  Arrival 
he  retired  from  the  Fort,  that  he  might  be  out  of  all  Englifh 
Converfation,  and  fojourn'd  for  feveral  Months  in  a  private 
Gentleman's  Family  at  a  Diftance,  where  he  could  hear 
nothing  fpoken  but  in  the  Language  he  was  aiming  to  acquire. 
It  was  a  fober  and  (in  the  Romifh  way)  a  religious  Family: 
the  Heads  of  which  he  was  wont  to  fpeak  of  with  great 
Gratitude  for  their  handfom  Treatment  of  him,  and  to 
exprefs  his  charitable  Hopes  concerning  them,  as  really 
pious,  upon  the  Obfervations  he  had  made  of  them.  —  After 
paffing  a  few  Months  there,  he  return'd  very  much  a  Mafter 
of  the  Language ;  in  which  he  afterwards  more  fully  perfected 
himfeK  by  reading  of  French  Authors,  and  by  frequently 
conferring  with  fome  Proteftant  Refugees  of  that  Nation;  a 
fmall  Affembly  of  whom  fubfifted  for  many  years  (and  till 
very  lately)  at  Bofton,  to  which  in  the  Abfence  of  their 
Paftor,  he  has  fometimes  preached,  in  their  own  Tongue,  to 
their   Edification;  though   at   the   fame   Time  he   declin'd 


86  THE   SECOND   MEETING   HOUSE 

praying  with  them  in  it,  perhaps  from  a  modeft  Sufpicion  of 
his  own  Sufficiency  for  doing  this  either  extempore  or  me- 
moriter,  and  not  chufing  to  read  a  written  Form. — But  he 
was  certainly  able  to  difcourfe  very  promptly  in  the  French 
Language,  and  good  Judges  have  faid,  with  great  Propriety. 
His  Knowledge  of  that  Tongue  he  accounted  a  vaft  Privilege, 
which  he  frequently  mentioned  with  Thankfulnefs  to  God; 
particularly  as  it  gave  him  the  Opportunity  of  confulting 
many  valuable  inftructive  Books,  that  otherwife  he  muft 
have  been  unacquainted  with:  and  accordingly  his  well- 
furnifh'd  Library  confifted,  in  great  Part,  of  Proteftant 
Authors  in  the  French  Language;  among  whom  thofe  famous 
Divines,  Meffieurs  Claude  and  Placett  were  fingularly 
valu'd  by  him. 

Returned  from  his  Travels,  he  purfued  his  Studies  at 
College,  for  feveral  Years  with  clofe  Application ;  difcovering 
a  laudable  Thirft  after  Increafe  in  all  ufeful  Literature,  and 
giving  Proofs  of  his  Liduftry  and  Ligenuity,  by  his  exemplary 
Proficience  in  the  liberal  Arts  and  Sciences.  —  He  had  a 
great  Command  of  the  Latin  Tongue,  became  a  Critick  in 
the  Greek,  and  had  a  good  Infight  into  the  Hebrew:  attain'd 
to  a  confiderable  Acquaintance  with  Philofophical  Liquiries; 
and  in  fhort,  poffefs'd  a  happy  Fund  both  of  human  and 
divine  Learning.  —  He  was  indeed  much  of  a  Huraanift ; 
though  Divinity  rather  was  his  Favourite  Study.  He  bore 
fo  fuperior  a  Figure  among  the  Scholars  of  his  Day,  that  in 
their  Debates  upon  any  Point,  whether  Philological,  or 
Theological,  ftill  He  was  appeal'd  to,  and  his  Opinion,  was 
wont  to  be  generally  decifive.  —  It  reflected  a  Luftre  on  his 
Character,  that  the  memorable  Mr.  Elijah  Corlet,  Mafter 
of  the  Grammar  School  in  Cambridge,  ufed  to  exprefs  a 
diftinguifhing  Value  for  him,  by  employing  him  to  officiate 
at  Times  in  the  Care  of  his  School,  when  obliged  to  be  abfent 


m 


amKBKsasi 


An    M  ICIACK  VI  RSr.. 

(Ill  iIk  ;i>tatl) 

n    [!,■/      ,       ..^       ,.,       V  M  ?A  A  K  I  A  N  j;:l  K  1!  1.  T  O  i;  ICI  A  N, 

Mr  ELIJAH  CORLE^e^^ 


P. 

II   N'. 
The  :: 

Co.;- 

MilUons 

cl  Himip 

From  Candles  lioll and  oleaginous 
Trinsfufcd  Beams,  a  glowing  Aiim  draw, 
Wnich  mighi  a  Taper  added  LuRce  g 


Uot^Alft.Wnid'KWci;   then  might  our  Vet    ■  :     The  lw'«n  IfK- ul  Uiatuis    to  ipena 


:h  Difplay  ot 
But  this  Htrculean  Labout  fotc  d  wc  deem 
Not  fccond  to  ImppjjihthtKt.  I 

This  piefles  hard  our  tim'rous  heart  whence  fic^ 
A  Torrent  ot  amazing  Fears,  whofe  U'jvct  I 
Bode  Univerfal  l\lugc  to  that  Verfe  J 

That  dares  pretend  tocqualizc  his  i-j«r. 
Cut}  then,  poor  Rythaci,  and  like  a  iiml  Ihrc 
Encircle  his  rich  Vault,  then  gently  y.yaj.v 
Upon  his  Grave  the  Center  there  prccljim 
Tho'  he  fubfidt,  yet  his  abounding  Worth 
Does  infinitely  fuptrfcdc  thy  Liyet. 


Tell  to  theWorld  what  l^owries  Nature  fhowrd 
Into  his  large  capacious  Soul  i  almt^It  i 

Profufc  in  large  Donations-,  vet  itir.d  Art 
Still  adds  unto  the  Itoie.  Itri'ving  to  reach 
i*erfe3ion\  Top,  during  a   m^rtil  iljte.  ^ 

Sagacious  Nature,  provident  that  nought 
Of  her  difpcnlcd  bounty  truttrate   prove, 
BoyU  up  this  font  of  Learffirrg  to  an  head, 
Which-ovcr-topping  oi'  its  Banks  fhe  gl-des 
Through  Nature's  Csnduil  llfii  into  the  Soil 
Ot  tender  louih,  which  gaping  fuck^  u  in,  ( M. 

I.iki.  thitlly  Surr  Bright  l)!f*«i's  l:<iuld  .';iij, 
A  Mijltrfl  l.|r  Tr^Jr,  whole  Art  c  :uld//v<J 
>..V-r,  uf  tuotcd  rir.i.l''  wh.jfe  Ih-uliii^  n. 


!        ■■:    If,   V  Jil   1  ■ 
SuTkit   lV;lh   J. 

Immortal  OaKc ,  " 

A  hijil  dtlild  V. 

Svi:p=trnn;hisowi;  pan     .ii    y  ir     .n-i  1 
Ihs  I  /,fr("rc^j«  lines.    unl>l%  llicyVtouch'd 
I  his  ly.lmi  Ijipii  COWl  H       thenapproi  J 
Tliev'ie  tl  i^Ctt  fra  j  eltecmd,  and  clalUngi 
~  71  TfW  ol  Oiatuts    to  Ipend 


Had. 


bottom  - 
r  Uialcfl  and  Raman  T  n[;i,r 
Age  within  their  nai  ».  S  \ !, 
Kndlefs  had  been  their  Ftud  ,  Ai'm  \iA  I    v 
Had  til  their  TW//S    and  /<•-»'(',•„  t      i-i, 
With  Swords   btandiflld  wi  h  (liii  ,  f  t    i  c    , 
For  to  decide  the  Cunir  M-il      j    1  pi   n 
To  whom  hy  tight  G-iar  (  i)  vLI  r  J  i  pe  m  l 
This  proving  unlucctlvful,  nought  car  ijutm-h 
Thtii  Himirg  zeal,  t  ive  M  ,c  /(/^.likcl       • 
Ertaing  his  Targe  Statue,  whfk  piou^  feet 
Mir^ht  lix  their  Station  onihe  Pi  ai.1  s 
01  "each  of  ihele  MttrDp  hts  of  An 
Nor  were  his  Parts  e\cluli\e  of  his  7cjl 
In  ftrving  liis  rich  Donor.     No  S  rnt  It 
Rearing  a  lulgcnt  JchcI  in  his  Cr  !• 
While  curfcd  Poifon  Heeps  his  vc 
But  lirj.i-  the  Crown  ol  all  (lio  i^ 
Fix't  in  the  Center  ot   lliat  yll/£/      / 
Blown  to  the  full,  ptrtum'd  with  ij     ,^  ini  ll, 
This  flower  Helen  plucl,t    When  Aj'W^tXC^i?;" 
Too  leehle  r.town  to  hear  fi-t.  i  ponderous  truit      1  *J{ 


;lh. 


;  111    M  I  A  II     il     ;  1  J 


THE    CORLET    ELEGY. 


REV.    MR.   NEHEMIAH    WALTER  87 

himfelf;  always  efteeming  his  Place  well  fiipply'd  by  Mr. 
Walter,  and  fully  confiding  in  his  Skill,  Prudence  and  Dili- 
gence. And  on  IVIr.  Corlet's  Death  (Anno  1687  Aet.  77)  Mr. 
Walter,  to  exprefs  his  Gratitude  and  Honour  to  the  Memory 
of  fo  deferving  a  Perfon,  publifh'd  an  Elegy  done  in  blank 
Englifh  Verfe;  beginning  with  a  modeft  Apology  for  its 
appearing  in  that  Form,  and  in  that  Language.  —  Mr. 
Stone,  the  late  worthy  and  aged  Paftor  of  Harwich,  having 
made  his  chief  Progrefs  in  School  Learning  under  that  very 
excellent  Divine,  the  Rev.  Mr.  Nehemiah  Hobart  of  New- 
town, had  his  laft  Preparation  for  the  College  by  Mr.  Walter; 
whom  he  daily  attended  at  his  Chamber  in  Cambridge, 
travelling  thither  on  Foot  every  Morning,  though  above  a 
Mile  from  his  Father's  Houfe;  and  for  whom  he  ever  main- 
tained a  very  high  Efteem. 

Mr.  Walter  early  began  to  acquaint  himfelf  with  Church 
Hiftory;  in  which  he  grew  to  be  very  well  verfed:  particularly 
in  thofe  Branches  of  it  referring  to  the  firft  Ages  of  Chriftian- 
ity,  to  the  Romifh  Apoftacy,  and  the  Proteftant  Reformation. 
—  He  was  well  f tudy'd  too  in  the  Popif h  Controverf ies ;  in  the 
Lutheran,  and  in  the  Arminian  Controverf  ies ;  alfo  in  the 
Difciplinary  Difputes  among  Proteftants;  —  impartially 
reading  the  Controverfial  Writings  on  all  Sides,  and  weighing 
their  feveral  Arguments  with  his  beft  Skill.  Particularly  he 
took  this  Method  to  fettle  his  Judgment  in  the  Epifcopal  and 
Prefbyterian  Controverfies  (or  thofe  between  the  Church 
and  Diffenters  in  England,  and  between  Prefbyterians  and 
Congregationals)  confulting  the  moft  eminent  Writers  on 
each  Side  of  the  Queftion:  and  after  much  Deliberation,  he 
fell  in  with  the  way  of  the  Churches  in  New  England  as 
thinking  their  Conftitution  and  Practice  in  general,  with 
refpect  to  Worfhip,  Difcipline  and  Order,  moft  conformable 
to  Gofpel-Inftitution  and  primitive  Practice,  as  well  as  to  the 


88  THE   SECOND    MEETING   HOUSE 

Principles  of  the  Reformation,  refpecting  the  Rights  of 
Confcience  and  private  Judgment,  the  Perfection  and  Obhga- 
tion  of  the  Scripture-Rule  and  the  Supremacy  of  Chrift  as 
fole  Head  of  the  Church.  Accordingly,  he  was  firmly 
attached  to  the  Congregational  way:  but  ftill  preferved  a 
Candour  for  pious  People  of  a  different  Perfuafion;  and 
indeed  was  fometimes  ready  to  think,  that  certain  Modalities 
in  Religion,  wherein  Proteftants  vary  from  one  another,  had 
an  immoderate  Strefs  laid  upon  them. 

With  him  the  holy  Scriptures  were  the  Teft  of  Orthodoxy 
and  Meafure  of  Truth.  He  took  the  Word  of  Chrift  for  the 
Guide  of  his  Thoughts  in  Religion,  and  from  thence  form'd 
his  Sentiments  upon  the  feveral  Doctrines,  which  have  been 
the  Subjects  of  fo  many  warm  Controverfies  in  the  Church 
from  Age  to  Age.  —  He  had  a  Reverence  for  the  Memory  of 
many  of  the  primitive  Fathers,  and  had  a  juft  Value  for  their 
Writings:  but  an  equal  Refpect  for  many  of  the  Divines  of 
the  Reformation,  and  in  Truth  to  thefe  he  rather  gave  the 
Preference  in  his  Judgment,  on  fome  Accounts.  He  had  a 
peculiar  Efteem  for  the  famous  Calvin,  among  the  firft 
Reformers;  and  among  the  more  modern  Englifh  Divines, 
he  had  a  diftinguifhing  Value  for  the  learned  Dr.  Owen,  and 
for  the  great  Mr.  Howe,  whom  he  feem'd  in  fome  Regards 
to  prefer  above  all:  Though  at  the  fame  Time  he  ufed  to 
exprefs  an  Affection  and  Refpect  for  many  others  as  Dr. 
Bates,  Mr.  Chamock,  Mr.  Flavel,  Mr.  Richard  Taylor,  &c. 
He  very  much  approved  the  Affembly  of  Divines  Confession 
of  Faith,  and  Catechisms;  and  in  particular  greatly  priz'd 
the  Affembly's  fhorter  Catechifm.  However,  ftill  he  had 
not  fo  learned  Christ,  as  to  take  any  Man  or  Sett  of  Men  for 
his  Standard,  and  to  fubject  his  Faith  to  any  Scheme  of 
Divinity,  or  his  Confcience  to  any  Model  of  Religion,  what- 
ever, of  meer  human  Contrivance.     No ;  but  Divine  Revela- 


REV.   MR.   NEHEMIAH    WALTER  89 

tion,  as  it  is  contain'd  in  the  facred  Scriptures,  was  what  he 
repair'd  to  as  the  Fountain  of  Theological  Truth,  and  made 
that  the  only  Rule  of  his  Judgment,  in  Matters  of  Faith  and 
Worfhip;  ever  efteeming  that  a  Rule  fufficient,  obliging,  and 
limiting,  both  as  to  Principles  and  Practices  in  Religion. 
Guided  by  the  Light  of  Scripture,  he  embraced  thofe  great 
and  important  Doctrines  of  the  Reformation;  the  fame  that 
are  contain'd  in  the  39  Articles  of  the  Church  of  England, 
and  the  fame  that  have  been  commonly  profefs'd  and  preach'd 
in  the  Churches  of  New  England.  —  Neverthelefs  he  care- 
fully avoided  all  Extreams;  and  in  particular,  equally  oppofed 
Arminianifm  on  the  one  Hand,  and  Antinomianifm  on  the 
other,  always  wifhing  the  Churches  and  Miniftry  of  New 
England  might  be  exempted  from  both :  Yet  he  would  fpeak 
charitably  of  fome  Divines,  that  leaned  to  either  of  the 
Extreams,  and  always  took  Care  to  preferve  a  Distinction 
between  Perfons  and  Opinions;  being  very  fparing  in  his 
Cenfures  upon  the  former  while  he  readily  bore  his  Teftimony 
againft  the  latter. 

With  fuch  a  happy  Temper  and  Furniture  of  Mind,  with 
a  Judgment  thus  poiz'd  and  fixed,  and  with  an  eftablifh'd 
Character  of  Piety,  he  at  firft  set  out  in  the  World  as  a  Can- 
didate for  the  Miniftry;  his  Pulpit  Performances  meeting 
with  uncommon  Acceptance.  —  There  feems  to  have  been 
a  fpecial  Interpofition  of  divine  Providence,  in  his  firft 
Introduction  into  Roxbury  Pulpit;  which  perhaps  may  be 
worth  relating.  And  it  was  thus,  as  the  Fact  lies  in  the 
Memory  of  one  of  us,  that  heard  the  Account  of  it  long  fince. 
—  Mr.  Walter  had  entertain'd  Thoughts  of  travelling  abroad; 
it's  fupposed,  with  a  View  partly  to  making  further  Improve- 
ments in  Knowledge;  and  had  actually  befpoke  his  Paffage 
in  a  Ship  for  Ireland,  or  England.  But  it  fo  happen'd  in 
Providence,  that  when  the  Veffel  only  waited  for  a  Wind,  he 


90  THE  SECOND   MEETING   HOUSE 

on  a  Saturday  Afternoon  receiv'd  a  Meffage  from  Roxbury 
defiling  of  him  a  Sermon  on  the  Morrow.  Accordingly,  he 
then  went,  and  preach'd  there  (as  it  was  faid)  for  the  firft 
Time;  greatly  to  the  Satisfaction,  both  of  Minifter  and 
People.  They  had  for  a  confiderable  while  been  feeking  a 
Colleague  for  their  aged  Paftor,  the  famous  and  venerable 
Mr.  John  Eliot  (the  fame  who  has  ufually  been  celebrated 
as  the  American  Apoftle)  and  among  feveral  very  worthy 
Candidates,  whom  they  had  often  heard,  their  Inclinations 
were  fo  divided,  as  to  retard  their  Proceedings.  But  upon 
hearing  Mr.  Walter,  they  were  inftantly  very  much  united 
in  him,  and  haft'ned  to  invite  him  to  conftant  Preaching 
among  them,  with  a  Profpect  of  Settlement  in  due  Time; 
which,  it  was  faid,  occafion'd  the  putting  off  his  intended 
Voyage.  The  good  old  Minifter  was  fo  charm'd  with  this 
young  Gentleman's  Preaching,  that  on  the  firft  Day  of  hear- 
ing him,  he  ftay'd  the  Church  after  Evening  Service,  and  was 
for  putting  it  immediately  to  Vote,  whether  they  would  give 
him  a  Call.  But  the  Hon^ie  Joseph  Dudley,  Esq.  (after- 
wards Governor)  then  prefent,  notwithftanding  he  had 
conceiv'd  a  high  Opinion  of  Mr.  Walter,  yet  appeared  in 
oppofition  to  fo  fudden  a  Motion,  and  perfuaded  Mr.  Eliot 
to  defer  it  for  a  while.  —  After  a  fhort  Delay,  he  receiv'd  an 
unanimous  Call;  the  Brethren  of  the  Church  making  their 
Choice  on  Lord's  Day  July  15.  1688  and  the  Inhabitants 
of  the  Town,  in  publick  Affembly,  on  Lord's  Day,  Sept.  9. 
approving  and  confirming  it.  Mr.  Walter  upon  the  Call 
given  him,  though  it  was  then  a  dark  and  threatning 
Seafon,  in  the  Reign  of  K.  James  II,  a  profefs'd  Papift, 
and  in  the  Adminiftration  of  Sir  Edmund  Andross, 
Governor  of  New  England,  a  Tool  of  the  Court,  and 
grievoufly  tyrannizing  over  the  poor  People  here,  yet  had 
the  Courage  to  enter  into  the  Miniftry,  at  fuch  a  critical 


REV.    MR.   NEHEMIAH    WALTER  91 

Juncture,  and  devote  himfelf  to  the  Service  of  Christ  in 
thefe  Chuix'hes. 

On  Wednefday,  October  17.  1688  (in  the  25*^  Year  of  his 
Age)  he  was  pabhckly  and  folemnly  ordained,  with  the 
laying  on  of  the  Hands  of  the  Prefbytery.  Mr.  Walter 
himfelf  (purfuant  to  the  former  Ufage  among  us)  preached 
the  Sermon  on  that  Occafion;  which  was  from  2  Cor.  iv.  7, 
But  we  have  this  Treafure  in  earthen  Veffels  that  the  Excel- 
lency of  the  Power  may  be  of  God,  and  not  of  us.  —  Mr. 
Eliot  (then  in  his  84th  Year)  prefided  in  his  Ordination  and 
gave  the  Charge.  And  though  a  Diftinction  was  wont  to  be 
made  between  the  Characters  of  Paftor  and  Teacher  when 
two  Minifters  were  together  in  the  fame  Church  (one  of  them 
being  ordain'd  under  the  former  Name,  and  the  other  under 
the  latter)  Mr.  Eliot  notwithftanding  faw  fit  to  join  both 
Names  or  Characters  in  Mr.  Walter's  Ordination.  And  on 
their  Return  from  the  Solemnity,  he  took  Occafion  pleafantly 
to  fay  to  Mr.  Walter,  — "  Brother,  I've  ordain'd  you  a 
Teaching  Paftor:  but  don't  be  proud  of  it;  for  I  always 
ordain  my  Indians  fo. " 

After  this,  Mr.  Eliot  did  not  long  furvive:  for  on  the  20*^ 
of  May  1690,  he  died;  having  been  Minifter  of  Roxbury  from 
Sept.  1632.  and  being  worn  out  with  Age,  and  with  abundant 
Labours,  in  the  Service  of  Chrift  and  Souls,  as  well  among 
the  Indians  as  Englifh.  But  it  was  a  great  Satisfaction  to 
him,  that  he  faw  his  People,  before  his  Death,  fo  peaceably 
and  happily  fettled  under  Mr.  Walter's  Miniftry.  And  it  is 
well  known,  how  for  the  Year  or  two  they  were  together,  Mr. 
Walter  ferved  in  the  Gofpel  with  his  venerable  Colleague, 
even  as  a  Son  with  a  Father,  full  of  filial  Duty  and  Affection; 
and  what  a  vaft  Efteem  and  Parental  Love  that  ancient 
Gentleman  had  for  his  Young  Colleague,  how  he  honoured 
him  before  his  People,  and  almoft  intirely  devolv'd  upon 


92  THE   SECOND    MEETING   HOUSE 

him  all  publick  Offices  of  the  Miniftry,  from  a  Senfe  of  his 

fuperior  Abilities.     Mr.  Eliot  wou'd  often  make  the  Remark, 

that  well  beaten  Oil  was  required  for  the  Service  of  the 

Sanctuary;  and  to  that,  he  ufed  to  compare  Mr.  Walter's 

Sermons.     He  would  therefore  feldom  preach;  that  fo  he 

might  not  hinder  his  People  from  the  Benefit  of  his  defirable 

Colleague's  Labours,  and  might  himfelf  enjoy  the  Privilege 

of  hearing  him.     This  we  find  taken  Notice  of  in  the  Memoirs 

of  Mr.  Eliot's  Life,  written  above  fifty  Years  ago,  by  the  late 

very  excellent  Dr.  Cotton  Mather;  where  we  have  the  Pleafure 

of  feeing  Mr.  Walter  thus  characterifed :  —  "A  Perfon  young 

in  Years,  but  old  in  Discretion,  Gravity  and  Experience;  and 

one,  whom  the  Church  of  Roxbury  hopes  to  find  a  Paftor 

after  God's  own  Heart."     It  follows,  "Who  being,  by  the 

unanimous  Vote  and  Choice  of  the  Church  there,  become  the 

Paftor  of  Roxbury,  immediately  found  the  venerable  Eliot 

embracing  and  cherifhing  of  him,  with  the  tender  Affections 

of  a  Father.     The  good  old  Man,  like  Aaron,  as  it  were 

difrobed  himfelf,  with  an  unfpeakable  Satisfaction,  when  he 

beheld  his   Garments  fpread  upon  a  Son  fo  dear  to  him. 

After  this,  he  for  a  Year  or  two  before  his  Tranflation,  cou'd 

fcarce  be  perfuaded  unto  any  publick  Service;  but  humbly 

pleaded.  It  would  be  a  Wrong  to  the  Souls  of  the  People,  for 

him  to  do  any  Thing  among  them,  when  they  were  fupply'd 

fo  much  to  their  Advantage,  otherwife."  — And  it's  faid  the 

good  old  Gentleman,  when  he  preach'd  at  any  Time  in  the 

Morning  would  excuse  the  Meannefs  and  Brokennefs  (as  he 

called    it)   of  his   Performance,    but   would   conclude   with 

faying,  "  My  dear  Brother  here  will  by'n'by  mend  all. "  — 

Thus,  Mr.  Walter  gave  early  Prefages  of  his  future  Emi- 
nence; and  he  has  all  along,  from  Youth  to  advanced  Age, 
f hewed  himself  a  Workman  that  needed  not  to  be  afhamed; 
a  burning  and  fhining  Light,  both  in  the  Pulpit  and  out  of  it; 


REV.    MR.   NEHEMIAH    WALTER  93 

and  through  a  long  Life,  abundantly  anfwering  the  high 
Expectations  he  had  raifed  in  his  younger  Days.  —  He  was 
Owner  of  all  the  valuable  Qualifications,  intellectual  and 
moral,  neceffary  to  conftitute  an  eminent  Character,  whether 
as  a  Chriftian,  or  a  Divine. 

He  certainly  exhibited  a  bright  Example  of  perfonal 
Holinefs;  which  is  of  the  firft  Confideration,  and  the  grand 
Requiiite  in  the  Chriftian  Profeffor,  much  more  in  the 
Chriftian  Minifter,  He  gave  very  convincing  Evidences  of 
vital  Experience  in  Religion,  to  a  high  Degree.  He  liv'd 
the  Chriftianity  he  preach'd;  fhewing  his  Faith  by  his  Works, 
and  having  his  Fruit  unto  Holinefs,  in  all  its  various  Exercifes. 
He  was  moft  exemplary  for  Hatred  of  every  Sin;  and  an 
Inftance  of  the  correcteft  Morals  appear'd  ever  devoted  to 
the  Service  and  Honour  of  Chrift;  exprefs'd  a  deep  Concern 
for  the  Advancement  of  his  Kingdom  and  Intereft;  mani- 
fefted  an  ardent  Love  to  God,  and  warm  Benevolence  to 
Men;  a  great  Mortification  to  the  World,  and  Abftraction 
from  earthly  Concerns;  an  habitual  Equanimity,  and  Con- 
tentment with  his  outward  Condition ;  Ref ignation  in  Adver- 
fity,  and  Moderation  in  Profperity;  Freedom  from  Envy 
at  others  rifing  Reputation,  or  flourifhing  Circumftances, 
and  from  all  undue  Elation  with  the  pecular  Refpects 
univerf ally  paid  to  himf elf ;  was  remarkable  for  his  domef tick 
Tendernefs,  and  Endearingnefs  towards  his  People;  for  his 
Humility  and  Modefty,  which  made  him  decline  fome 
publick  Honours  that  were  offer'd  him,  and  very  much  to 
avoid  publick  Appearances;  was  remarkable  for  an  habitual, 
conftant  Serioufnefs,  Solidity,  Veracity  and  Uprightnefs; 
was  ftrictly  temperate,  exactly  juft,  and  exceeding  con- 
fcientious  in  all  his  Ways;  was  moft  apparently  fpiritually 
minded,  and  of  a  heavenly  Converf ation ;  walking  by  Faith, 
not   by   Sight;   and   adding  to  his  Faith,  Fortitude.     For, 


94  THE   SECOND    MEETING   HOUSE 

though  he  was  low  of  Stature,  and  had  a  thin  and  feeble 
Body,  as  well  as  a  low  and  weak  Voice;  yet  he  poffefs'd  a 
great  Soul,  had  a  fingular  animal  Vivacity,  with  a  good 
Meafure  of  natural  Firmnefs  and  Courage,  which  being 
fanctify'd,  were  of  Advantage  to  him,  when  call'd  to  appear 
in  the  Caufe  of  God  our  Saviour.  He  had  a  Zeal  of  God, 
and  this  according  to  Knowledge;  being  happily  temper'd 
with  Meeknefs,  Lenity,  and  Charity,  govern'd  by  Prudence, 
and  recommended  by  a  vifible  Sincerity  and  Lowlinefs  of 
Heart.  —  He  was  of  a  moft  ingenuous  Spirit,  abounding  in 
Candour;  was  a  candid  Difputant,  a  candid  Hearer  of 
Sermons,  a  candid  Interpreter  of  others  Words  and  Actions; 
exceeding  diftant  from  all  Cenforioufnefs  and  Detraction, 
from  all  Bitternefs  and  Acrimony;  yet  was  a  faithful  Friend, 
and  knew  not  to  give  flattering  Titles,  nor  ufed  he  flattering 
Words,  or  airy  Compliments.  Very  refpectful  was  he  to  his 
Superiours,  though  fervilely  obfequious  to  none;  full  of 
Condefcenfion  to  his  Inferiours;  and  in  Honour  preferring 
his  Equals.  He  was  of  a  moft  placid  and  pacifick  Temper, 
never  embroil'd  himfelf  in  Controverfy,  kept  out  of  all  Con- 
tention, and  ever  followed  the  Things  that  made  for  Peace. 
—  He  was  very  averfe  to  entangling  himfelf  in  the  Affairs  of 
this  Life;  whatever  Occafions  there  might  fometimes  be 
for  it,  as  having  a  numerous  Family,  and  an  Income  fmall, 
comparatively.  However,  being  fuch  a  great  Lover  of 
Learning,  he  gave  three  of  his  Sons  a  liberal  Education,  by 
the  Affiftance  of  generous  Friends,  and  at  the  Expence  of 
fome  Self-denial  at  home,  —  He  was  inclined  to  live  as 
retired,  and  to  keep  as  much  in  his  Study,  as  poffible,  for 
devotional,  as  well  as  literary  Purpofes;  and  his  Work  was 
almoft  his  only  Recreation.  The  Confequence  of  this,  his 
Friends  thought  to  be  Gain  to  them  on  fome  valuable 
Accounts,  yet  a  Lofs  to  them  by  the  Infrequency  of  his 


REV.   MR.   NEHEMIAH    WALTER  95 

defirable  Vifits.  Though  he  was  but  feldom  abroad,  in 
Company,  and  did  not  affect  Abundance  of  it  at  home,  yet 
was  eafy  of  Accefs  and  receiv'd  his  Vifitors  with  much 
Courtefy  and  Affabihty.  There  was  a  vifible  Sweetnefs, 
under  all  his  Referve;  and  in  Converfation,  where  he  might 
ufe  a  Liberty  without  Danger  of  giving  Offence,  he  was 
modeftly  free  and  facetious,  pleafant,  and  entertaining; 
always  ingenious,  always  communicative  and  inftructive; 
but  never  loud  and  noify,  nor  over-talkative;  never  affuming, 
nor  overbearing,  nor  indecently  interrupting,  in  any  Debate 
or  Difcourfe:  nay,  rather  flow  to  fpeak,  as  well  as  flow  to 
wrath,  but  fwift  to  hear,  and  readier  to  attend  to  others,  than 
to  exert  himfelf.  Neither  did  he  love  Trifling  and  meer 
Amufement;  but  was  always  grave,  in  the  midft  of  Chearful- 
nefs,  and  wou'd  ever  (if  he  might)  be  difcourfing  on  Topicks 
that  were  ferious,  or  important  and  profitable;  or  otherwife 
be  filent.  His  Converfation  turned  much  on  the  State  of 
Learning,  and  what  pafs'd  in  the  letter'd  World,  but  more 
efpecially  on  the  State  of  Religion,  in  the  prof  effing  World ; 
or  elfe  on  fome  religious  Subject,  commonly  fuch  as  he  had 
lately  been  reading  on;  and  wou'd  often  cite  remarkable 
Paffages  (efpecially  from  Authors  in  the  French  Language) 
which  we  were  not  fo  likely  to  have  met  with.  Indeed,  above 
all,  he  lov'd  to  be  talking  of  a  glorious  Christ,  and  the  Grace 
of  God  in  Him,  of  his  Truths  and  Ways;  the  Affairs  of  his 
Kingdom  here,  and  the  Hope  laid  up  for  his  People  hereafter. 
—  He  ever  bore  upon  his  Heart  the  Concerns  of  the  Chriftian 
Church,  in  general ;  but  efpecially  thof e  Parts  of  it  in  Great- 
Britain,  Ireland,  France,  and  Germany;  and  was  very 
inquifitive  about  the  State  of  Things  in  them.  Nothing,  of 
that  Nature,  lay  more  on  his  Thoughts,  or  nearer  his  Heart, 
than  the  Safety  and  Profperity  of  the  Proteftant  Intereft. 
His  Heart,  like  Eli's,  trembled  for  this  Ark  of  God;  greatly 


96  THE   SECOND    MEETING  HOUSE 

lamenting  to  hear  of  Degeneracy  among  Proteftants,  at  home 
or  abroad,  whether  in  Principles  or  Manners;  but  equally 
rejoicing  in  well  attefted  Informations  of  a  Revival  of  pure 
and  practical  Religion  any  where.  —  He  thankfully  admir'd 
the  Conduct  of  Providence  in  bringing  about  the  Settlement 
of  the  Crown  of  Great-Britain  in  the  illuftrious  Houfe  of 
Hanover ;  and  fcarce  ever  made  a  Prayer,  at  leaft,  in  Publick, 
but  one  of  his  moft  fervent  Requefts  to  God  was  for  the 
Security  of  the  Proteftant  Succeffion  to  the  British  Throne. 

Simeon's  Character  was  his,  a  juft  Man  and  devout.  He 
gave  himfelf  to  Prayer,  as  well  as  to  the  IMiniftry  of  the  Word. 
He  appeared  to  have  habitually  much  of  the  Spirit  of  Grace 
and  Supplication,  and  to  be  much  in  the  Practice  of  Ejacu- 
latory  Prayer.  Befides  his  ftated  Prayers  in  Private  and  in 
Publick,  and  other  occafional  ones,  particularly  in  his  paftoral 
Vifitations  of  the  Sick,  and  at  Funerals,  Catechifings,  &c. 
he  affociated  with  his  People  at  their  Family  Meetings  for 
religious  Exercifes,  where  he  conftantly  made  one  of  the 
Prayers,  whoever  preached,  or  read  the  Sermon.  —  And  he 
always  appear'd  eminently  qualify'd  both  with  the  Gift  and 
the  Grace  of  Prayer :  nor  is  it  eafy  to  fay,  in  which  he  feem'd 
moft  to  excel.  His  Prayers  were  a  continued  Series  of 
raifed,  but  unaffected  Devotion,  filial  Reverence  and  Con- 
fidence towards  God,  Faith  in  the  Mediator,  Self-Abafement, 
Zeal  for  the  Caufe  and  Honour  of  Chrift,  Love  to  his  Church 
and  People,  Afpirations  after  fpiritual  Bleffings  in  heavenly 
Places  in  Chrift  Jesus.  —  For  the  Matter  of  his  Prayers, 
they  were  adjufted  to  thofe  peculiar  Doctrines  of  the  Gofpel, 
which  he  ever  contended  fo  earneftly  for.  And  indeed  it 
was  a  Maxim  with  him,  that  as  thofe  Practices  muft  be  bad 
which  one  can't  pray  over,  fo  thofe  Principles  may  well  be 
fufpected,  which  cannot  properly  be  turned  into  Prayer. 
This,  he  thought,  look'd  with  an  unfavourable  Afpect  on  the 


REV.    MR.   NEHEMIAH    WALTER  97 

Arminian  Scheme,  in  particular:  the  Friends  of  which  are 
wont  to  pray  Calvin  if  tically,  how  differently  foever  they  may 
preach.  —  And  for  the  Manner  of  his  Prayers,  they  were  all 
in  a  very  natural  Method;  appofite  to  the  Occafion;  exprefs'd 
in  the  eafieft  and  mo  ft  proper  Language;  fententious  and 
concife ;  argumentative,  and  enliven'd  with  pertinent  Scripture 
Pleas;  utter'd  with  a  fubmifs  Voice,  and  with  a  Mein  the 
ferious,  humble,  affectionate;  in  the  whole  never  prolix. 
There  was  this  remarkable  in  his  Prayers,  that  he  frequently 
called  on  the  Name  of  Jesus  Christ  our  Lord,  more  directly 
and  explicitly  than  is  ufual.  Particularly  it  was  his  con- 
ftant  Practice  in  the  Adminiftration  of  the  Lord's  Supper,  to 
addrefs  one  of  the  Pravers  to  the  Son  of  God;  adorinp-  his 
Divine  Perfon ;  giving  him  the  Glory  of  his  Divine  Excellencies 
manifefted  in  the  Works  of  Creation  and  Providence,  but 
efpecially  in  the  aftonifhing  Work  of  Redemption;  acknowl- 
edging Him  in  his  mediatorial  Offices;  celebrating  his  won- 
drous Love,  in  his  Humiliation  and  Sufferings  for  his  People ; 
profeffing  Repentance  for  Sin,  and  Faith  in  the  Blood  of 
Christ,  as  the  only  and  perfect  Atonement  for  Sin,  and  in  his 
prevalent  Literceffion,  as  our  Advocate  with  the  Father; 
profeffing  to  embrace  the  Promifes,  as  in  him;  renouncing 
all  Sin,  as  againft  him;  engaging  to  do  all  Duty,  as  unto  him, 
in  his  Name;  expreffing  a  Dependence  on  him  alone,  for 
Righteoufnefs  and  Strength;  and  a  Hope  in  his  Power  and 
Grace,  as  raifed  from  the  Dead,  and  exalted  to  be  Prince  and 
Saviour,  Head  of  his  univerfal  Church  of  Men  and  Angels, 
and  Head  over  all  Things  to  the  Church,  which  was  now 
alfo  commended  to  his  fpecial  Care.  —  Another  Thing  we 
fhall  take  Notice  of,  is,  that  as  he  never  practifed  giving 
Characters  of  deceafed  Persons  in  Funeral  Sermons,  fo  his 
Prayers  at  the  Houfe  of  Mourning  were  calculated  to  affist 
the  Devotion  of  the  Living,  rather  than  to  honour  the  Name 


98  THE  SECOND    MEETING   HOUSE 

of  the  Dead.  So  averfe  was  he  to  Flattery,  that  he  ftudioufly 
avoided  all  Appearances  of  it,  and  all  Approaches  to  it. — 
[For  this  Reafon,  in  part,  he  declined  preaching  on  a  certain 
great  and  annual  Occafion,  when  chosen  to  do  it.]  —  When 
he  catechifed  the  Children  of  his  Flock,  befides  praying  with 
them,  he  was  wont  to  give  them  a  fhort  and  familiar  Lecture 
on  fome  Part  of  the  Affembly's  Catechifm:  which  Practice 
he  continu'd  fo  long  as  his  Strength  would  well  allow  him. 

As  a  Preacher,  he  was  juftly  admired  by  all  that  heard  him, 
and  has  been  often  recommended  for  a  Pattern. 

The  Matter  of  his  Preaching  confifted  of  the  great  Things 
of  God's  Law  and  Gofpel.  He  often  entertained  his  Hearers 
with  affecting  Meditations  on  the  guilty,  depraved,  con- 
demned, undone  Eftate  of  the  Race  of  Adam  by  Nature,  in 
Confequence  of  the  firft  Apoftacy,  and  by  means  of  their 
increafed  Wickednefs;  and  on  thofe  eternal  Miferies  here- 
after, which  they  are  every  Moment  expo  fed  to.  Whereby 
he  labour'd  to  awaken  the  Confciences  of  Sinners,  to  alarm 
their  Fears,  and  excite  their  Concern  to  obtain  the  Salvation 
which  is  by  Jesus  Christ.  —  And  then  his  moft  beloved 
Themes  were  the  wondrous  Counfels  and  Works  of  the 
Divine  Trinity,  refpecting  this  great  Salvation;  the  Divine 
Father's  Appointment  and  Miffion  of  his  Son  to  purchafe  it 
for  us,  and  of  his  Spirit  to  reveal  and  apply  it  to  us.  Thefe 
were,  either  directly  or  reductively,  the  Subjects  of  his  Preach- 
ing, in  general.  —  More  particularly,  his  frequent  Theme 
was  the  admirable  Perfon  of  Christ  in  his  two  diftinct 
Natures,  of  God  and  Man;  his  glorious  Office  of  Mediator, 
in  its  various  Views,  Acts  and  Exercifes;  his  aftonifhing 
Humiliation  and  Sufferings,  Atonement  for  Sin,  and  Satis- 
faction to  Divine  Juftice;  his  perfect  active  and  paffive 
Obedience,  its  infinite  Value  and  Merit,  and  the  everlafting 
Righteoufnefs  brought  in  thereby;  his  victorious  Refurrec- 


REV.   MR.   NEHEMIAH    WALTER  99 

tion,  his  triumphant  Afcenfion  into  Heaven,  and  his  Exalta- 
tion there  to  the  Government  of  the  whole  Creation,  and  the 
Mediatorial  vital  Headfhip  of  his  People;  his  continual 
Sympathy  Avith  them,  and  prevalent  Interceffion  for  them, 
as  their  merciful  and  faithful  High-Prieft;  and  his  final 
Appearance,  as  the  great  Judge  of  Quick  and  Dead,  when 
he  fhall  be  glorify'd  in  his  Saints,  and  admired  in  all  them 
that  believe.  —  Alfo  the  Divine  Excellencies  of  the  Holy 
Spirit,  the  Neceffity  of  his  Miffion  and  Agency,  and  eminently 
of  his  fpecial  and  efficacious  Grace,  or  faving  Influence  on 
the  Hearts  of  Men ;  convincing  them  of  their  Sin  and  Mifery, 
enlightning  their  Minds  in  the  Knowledge  of  Chrift,  renewing 
their  Wills,  and  both  perfuading  and  enabling  them  to 
receive  Chrift,  in  all  his  Offices,  and  for  all  his  Benefits;  to 
turn  to  God  in  and  through  Chrift,  and  chufe  the  glorious 
God,  in  Chrift,  as  their  fupreme  Ruler,  Portion  and  End;  to 
embrace  the  Promifes,  to  live  by  Faith  and  to  look  for  the 
Mercy  of  the  Lord  Jefus  Chrift  unto  eternal  Life.  In  Sum, 
he  preached  Repentance  towards  God,  and  Faith  towards 
our  Lord  Jefus  Chrift,  teftifying  the  Gofpel  of  the  Grace  of 
God,  in  its  Requirements  and  its  Encouragements,  it's  Pre- 
cepts and  Promifes;  often  taking  occafion  to  fet  forth  the 
many  invaluable  Privileges  of  Believers,  both  here  and  here- 
after; and  the  infinite  Wifdom,  Holinef,  Juftice,  Truth,  and 
Grace  of  God,  difplayed  in  the  whole  of  their  Salvation. 

On  fuch  Subjects  as  thefe,  Mr.  Walter  laid  out  very  much 
of  his  Miniftry.  But  at  the  fame  Time,  while  he  conftantly 
affirmed  thefe  Things,  it  was  to  the  End  that  they  which  have 
believed  in  God,  might  be  careful  to  maintain  good  Works. 
Well  knowing,  that  Men  are  fanctified  through  the  Truth, 
he  preached  the  Truth,  even  as  it  is  in  Jesus.  He  was  a 
Preacher  of  Righteoufnefs,  in  the  whole  Scripture-Meaning 
of  this  Character.     He  adapted  his  Preaching  to  the  bleffed 


100  THE   SECOND    MEETING   HOUSE 

Defign  of  promoting  Conviction,  Converfion,  and  Sanctifica- 
tion.  His  Sermons  were  full  of  Motives  and  Directions,  to 
this  Purpofe. —  But  he  always  pointed  out  the  true  Caufes  of 
Salvation,  the  Grace  of  God,  the  Merits  of  Christ,  and  the 
Power  of  the  Holy  Ghoft;  and  keeping  thefe  in  View,  he 
much  inculcated  a  diligent  Ufe  of  inftituted  Means,  under 
Gofpel-Encouragements,  ftriving  to  enter  in  at  the  ftrait 
Gate,  and  to  walk  in  the  narrow  Way  which  leadeth  unto 
Life.  He  often  and  earneftly  preffed  the  Duties  of  the  Chrif- 
tian  Life,  and  infifted  on  the  Neceffity  of  our  following  uni- 
verfal  Holinefs,  labouring  after  the  higheft  moral  Improve- 
ments attainable  in  this  Life,  and  longing  for  the  Perfection 
of  the  upper  World. —  Li  fhort,  he  was  a  moft  practical  and 
truly  evangelical  Preacher.  For  the  Proof  of  this,  we  need 
only  appeal  to  his  printed  Works;  which  are  thefe.  (1) 
Unfruitful  Hearers  detected  and  warned.  (This  was  lately 
re-printed.)  (2)  The  Body  of  Sin  anatomized.  (3)  A 
Difcourfe  on  vain  Thoughts.  (4)  The  great  Concern  of 
Man.  (5)  The  Wonderfulnefs  of  Christ.  (6)  The  Holinefs 
of  Heaven.  (7)  Faithfulnefs  in  the  Miniftry;  (A  Sermon 
preach'd  to  the  Convention  of  Minifters.)  And  the  following 
Difcourfes,  on  the  55^^  Chapter  of  Ifaiah;  with  his  laft  Ser- 
mon annexed.  All  which  bear  the  vifible  Signatures  of  his 
Piety,  Orthodoxy,  Skill  and  Diligence  in  his  Work.  We 
may  look  upon  them  as  the  true  Tranfcript  of  his  fettled 
Sentiments  and  habitual  Thoughts,  as  the  Exemplification 
of  his  ufual  Frames,  and  as  fo  many  Specimens  of  his  common 
Preaching,  with  regard  to  Subject,  Spirit,  Style,  and  Method. 
It  was  very  much  his  Manner,  to  felect  particular  Chapters 
of  the  Bible,  or  large  Portions  of  them,  and  to  go  over  them 
verfe  by  verfe,  in  his  Sabbath-Sermons  efpecially.  He  had  a 
happy  Talent  at  illuftrating  the  Scripture,  and  frequently 
with  a  few  plain  Words  he  would  fet  a  difficult  Text  in  an 


REV.    MR.   NEHEMIAH    WALTER  101 

advantageous  and  perhaps  uncommon  Light.  His  Method 
of  handhng  a  Subject  appear'd  always  exceeding  natural 
and  juft.  With  a  Dignity  of  Sentiment,  there  was  ever  an 
eafy  Train  of  Tho't.  The  late  Rev.  Dr.  Colman,  who  was 
himfelf  a  valuable  Preacher,  ufed  to  fay  of  him,  When  one  is 
hearing  Mr.  Walter,  it  feems  as  if  any  Man  could  preach 
fo;  and  yet  it's  difficult  preaching  like  him,  and  few  can 
equal  him.  So  the  late  Rev.  Mr.  Pemberton,  of  the  South 
Church  in  Bofton,  who  in  his  Day  fhone  as  a  fuperior  Light, 
once  faid  of  him  (in  Converfation  with  one  of  us)  I  know  no 
Man,  that  in  his  Preaching  reconciles  Perfpicuity  with 
Accuracy,  like  Mr.  Walter. — He  ufually  difcourfed  on  his 
Text  by  way  of  Doctrine  and  Ufe,  according  to  the  ancient 
Cuftom  of  the  New  England  Miniftry.  He  dealt  not  in 
loofe  Harangue,  but  laid  out  his  Matter  clearly,  under  diftinct 
Heads,  and  number'd  thefe  as  he  went  along,  for  the  Eafe 
and  Benefit  of  his  Hearers;  though  for  the  fame  Reafon,  he 
was  careful  not  to  multiply  them  to  Excefs.  He  was  felicitous, 
in  the  compofition  of  his  Difcourfes,  to  digeft  Things  into  the 
beft  Order,  for  common  Edification  of  the  Auditory;  and  to 
enforce  every  Point  with  the  beft  Authority,  by  citing  pertinent 
Scriptures.  And  when  he  had  fufficiently  led  them  into  the 
Underftanding  of  any  Truth,  then  he  apply'd  it,  to  awaken 
their  Mind  and  Heart,  to  move  and  guide  them  to  an  anfwer- 
able  Experience  and  Practice.  Here  he  often  expatiated  in 
a  Variety  of  fuitable,  practical  Reflections  and  Exhortations ; 
yet  in  the  whole  was  commonly  very  brief  and  comprehenfive. 
—  And  as  to  his  Style,  or  Diction,  it  was,  not  only  exceeding 
clear  and  plain,  but  withal  fo  correct,  that  the  Sermons  he 
deliver'd  in  the  ftated  courfe  of  his  Miniftry  (as  were  the 
enfuing)  would  bear  to  fee  the  Light.  His  Periods  and 
Sentences  concife,  hie  Words  emphatical  and  very  expreffive, 
and  moft  eafy  to  be  underftood.     He  had  few  Redundancies, 


102  THE   SECOND    MEETING   HOUSE 

and  affected  nothing  of  Luxuriancy  or  Pomp  of  Language. 
He  was  like  the  wife  Preacher,  Solomon  fpeaks  of,  who 
fought  to  find  out  acceptable  Words;  and  that  which  was 
written,  was  upright,  even  Words  of  Truth ;  and  thefe  he  fet 
in  Order.  Becaufe  the  Preacher  was  wife,  he  ftill  taught  the 
People  Knowledge.  And  the  Words  of  the  Wife  are  as  Goads, 
and  as  Nails  faftned  by  the  Mafters  of  Affemblies,  which 
are  given  from  one  Shepherd.  His  Sermons  were  fcriptural, 
and  rational,  always  fpeaking  the  Things  that  become  found 
Doctrine,  couched  in  few  and  familiar  Words,  with  a  noble 
Negligence  of  Style;  and  in  the  whole,  calculated  both  to 
enlighten  the  Mind,  and  affect  the  Confcience,  Though 
his  Organs  of  Speech  were  naturally  feeble,  and  his  Utterance 
very  deliberate,  with  frequent  Paufes;  yet  his  Afpect,  Gefture, 
Pronunciation,  and  whole  Manner  of  Addrefs,  were  with 
fuch  a  Decorum,  becoming  the  Pulpit;  fo  habitually  grave 
and  folemn,  fo  free  from  every  aukward  Air  and  difguftful 
Tone,  and  from  all  sign  of  Indolence,  Formality  or  Affecta- 
tion; his  Voice  nothing  effeminate,  and  fo  well  modulated, 
his  Words  fo  juftly  accented,  his  Paufes  fo  judicioufly  placed, 
his  Eye  and  Action  under  fo  proper  a  Regulation,  and  fuch 
a  Degree  of  genuine  Pathos  difcover'd,  accompany'd  fre- 
quently with  Tears,  as  indicated  his  Difcourfes  to  be  the 
genuine  Breathings  of  a  warm  Heart,  tho'  the  Produce  of  a 
clear  and  cool  Head.  —  In  the  Beginning  of  his  Miniftry 
for  about  feven  Years,  he  preach'd  memoriter,  or  without 
Notes,  after  the  ufual  Manner  of  that  Day.  But  by  a  fevere 
Fit  of  Sicloiefs,  which  brought  him  very  low,  and  of  which  he 
recover'd  only  by  flow  Degrees,  he  found  his  Head  fo 
affected  and  his  Memory  weakened,  that  when  reftor'd  fo 
far  as  to  be  able  to  preach,  he  neverthelefs  thought  it  prudent, 
not  to  commit  his  Sermons  to  Memory,  and  much  lefs  to 
venture  upon  preaching  extempore;  fo  he  then  took  up  the 


REV.    MR.   NEHEMIAH    WALTER  103 

Practice  of  ufing  his  Notes  in  the  Pulpit,  and  never  faw  fit 
to  depart  from  it.  And  indeed  he  had  a  very  happy  Art  in 
ufing  them,  as  though  he  ufed  them  not;  commonly  but 
glancing  on  them  (latterly  with  the  Help  of  a  Glafs  in  his 
Hand)  and  then  delivering  his  Matter,  with  his  Eyes  erect 
and  pointed  to  the  liftning  Audience.  For  his  agreable 
Elocution,  and  his  excellent  Compofition,  added  to  the 
Importance  of  his  Subject,  feldom  fail'd  to  draw  the  Eye 
and  Ear  of  ferious  Hearers,  and  engage  their  clofeft  Attention ; 
by  Means  whereof  a  deeper  Silence  reigned  in  the  Affembly, 
which  gave  Advantage  to  his  low  Voice,  the  more  eafily  to  be 
heard :  and  a  great  vif  ible  Solemnity  in  the  Audience  increas'd 
every  one's  Difpofition  to  attend  with  Wakefulnefs  and 
Reverence.  —  His  Sermons  appear  excellently  good  in  the 
Reading;  but  it  muft  be  confefs'd,  they  appear'd  with  a 
peculiar  Grace  and  Advantage  from  the  Pulpit.  Truly, 
his  Doctrine  dropped  as  the  Rain,  and  his  Speech,  diftilled 
as  the  Dew.  — 

But  to  leave  his  Character,  which  we  have  only  given 
fome  imperfect  Sketches  of  — 

About  the  Year  1717,  as  we  fuppofe,  from  his  long  and 
clofe  Application  to  Study,  and  other  Labours  of  his  Charge 
(in  Conjunction  perhaps  with  fome  Incidents  in  Providence) 
he  contracted  a  vertiginous  Diforder,  and  fell  into  fuch  a 
State  of  Debility,  as  obliged  him  for  a  confiderable  Time  to 
fufpend  the  Exercife  of  his  Miniftry,  to  intermit  his  Studies, 
and  throw  af ide  Books ;  —  being  feldom  able  to  bear  a 
Moment's  intenfe  Thought,  and  fcarce  capable  of  carrying 
on  Family-Duties  or  Clofet  Devotions,  without  being  quite 
overcome ;  —  though  ftill  never  wholly  taken  off  from  con- 
verfing  with  his  Friends.  On  this  melancholy  Occafion, 
(if  we  do  not  milremember)  his  kind  People  kept  a  Day  of 
Fafting  and  Prayer;  when  many  from  the  Vicinity,  both 


104  THE   SECOND    MEETING    HOUSE 

Minifters  and  others,  affembled  with  them,  to  help  together 
by  Prayer  to  God,  that  he  would  prolong  fo  precious  a  Life, 
and  reftore  to  Health  and  publick  Service.  —  The  Prayer  of 
Faith  receiv'd  an  Anfwer  of  Peace,  in  a  Divine  Bleffing  on 
the  Means  ufed  for  his  Recovery.  —  A  Minifter  of  Bofton 
put  into  his  hands  Dr.  Fuller  on  Exercife,  and  urg'd  him  to 
ride.  Upon  which  he  took  a  Journey;  and  by  that  and  other 
Means,  he  happily  obtain'd  fuch  a  Recruit  of  Spirit  and 
Strength,  as  enabled  him  to  return  to  his  beloved  work. 

For  above  28  years  he  had  been  in  the  Paftoral  Office  with- 
out a  Co-partner;  till  October  19,  1718,  when  his  very  valu- 
able Son,  Mr.  Thomas  Walter,  was  ordained  his  Colleague, 
to  his  prefent  Help  and  Support ;  and  in  him  he  was  ready  to 
promife  himfelf  much  Comfort,  through  the  whole  Remainder 
of  his  Days.  For  he  was  a  moft  ingenious  young  Gentleman, 
an  accomplifh'd  Scholar,  an  orthodox  Preacher,  and  began  to 
be  a  great  Bleffing  to  the  New-England  Churches,  in  bravely 
and  learnedly  defending  their  Scriptural  Profeffion  and  Gof- 
pel-Order ;  as  appears  by  his  printed  Works.  But  the  fovereign 
God  was  pleas'd  to  take  him  away  by  Death  on  Jan.  10. 
1724,  5.  —  by  which  his  Father,  his  Family,  his  Congregation, 
his  Town,  and  the  Land  in  general,  fuftain'd  a  great  Lofs. 

And  now  again  the  whole  Weight  of  the  Paftoral  Care 
devolv'd  on  the  Father  alone.  But  his  People  in  Confidera- 
tion  of  Age  advancing  upon  him,  and  in  Hopes  that  by  the 
Goodnefs  of  God  they  might  enjoy  his  Prefence  and  Labours 
the  longer,  were  at  the  Expence  of  affording  him  Affiftance 
by  young  Candidates,  every  Sabbath,  for  one  part  of  the  Day: 
and  with  the  like  Views,  his  Brethren  and  Sons  in  the  Min- 
iftry,  particularly  in  the  Neighbourhood,  were  always  ready 
to  give  him  their  Help,  as  there  was  Occafion. 

In  fhort,  Mr.  Walter  feem'd  to  be  as  univerfally  lov'd  and 
refpected  as  any  Minifter  of  his  Time  in  all  New  England. 


REV.    MR.   NEHEMIAH   WALTER  105 

In  the  Beginning  of  his  Miniftry,  his  Fathers,  the  aged 
Minifters  (in  particular,  that  venerable  Man,  his  ancient 
Colleague,  as  before  obferv'd)  very  highly  efteem'd  and 
lov'd  him;  his  Brethren  in  the  Miniftry  continued,  or  rather 
increaf ed,  in  their  Regards  for  him ;  and  in  his  Age,  the  Junior 
Minifters  always  rofe  up  before  him  with  Reverence,  not  only 
honouring  the  Face  of  the  old  Man,  but  venerating  him  as  a 
Man  of  God,  and  honourable,  for  the  fuperior  Wifdom  and 
Holinefs  fo  confpicuoufly  f hining  in  him.  —  And  it  may  be 
proper  to  note  here,  that  his  Excellency,  the  late  Governor 
Dudley,  a  Gentleman  of  fine  Accomplifhments  and  a  good 
Judge  of  Worth,  was  his  Parifhioner,  and  one  of  us  has  often 
heard  him  exprefs  the  great  Satisfaction  he  had  in  Mr. 
Walter's  Miniftry.  Indeed  he  feldom  heard  him  preach,  or 
adminifter  a  Sacrament,  but  it  was  obferv'd  he  wept :  and  to 
the  day  of  his  Death,  he  honoured  his  Minifter  with  many 
Honours.  And  the  Governor's  Son,  who  fucceeded  him  in 
his  Seat  at  Roxbury,  the  late  Hon.  Paul  Dudley,  Efq.  who 
was  for  many  Years  one  of  his  Majefty's  Council,  and  chief 
Juftice  of  the  Province,  equal'd  (if  not  exceeded)  his  excellent 
Father  in  Love  to  Mr.  Walter's  Perfon  and  Miniftry:  and 
memorable  are  the  Honours  he  did  him,  living  and  dead.  — 
And  other  Gentlemen  of  the  greateft  Diftinction  among  us, 
in  the  Civil  (as  well  as  Ecclefiaftical)  Character,  delighted  to 
fhew  their  Refpects  to  Mr.  Walter,  by  receiving  his  Vifits 
and  returning  them,  by  fometimes  attending  his  publick 
Lectures,  &c,  —  And  truly  it  is  to  their  own  Honour  they  did 
fo.  —  As  for  the  Church  and  Congregation,  over  which  the 
Holy  Ghoft  had  made,  and  continu'd  him,  fo  wife  and 
faithful  and  affectionate  an  Overfeer,  he  was  conftantly 
belov'd  and  admired  among  them,  from  firft  to  laft.  May 
the  Lord  deal  kindly  with  them,  who  have  not  left  off  to 
fhew  Kindnefs  to  the  Living  and  to  the  Dead !  —  And  a  rare 


106  THE  SECOND    MEETING   HOUSE 

Thing  it  is  indeed,  for  a  Minifter  to  live  in  fuch  unintempted 
Harmony  and  Endearment  with  his  People,  efpecially  for  fo 
long  a  Tract  of  Time.  —  Yea  his  Praife  was  in  all  the 
Churches,  in  Proportion  as  he  was  known  to  them  by  Face, 
or  by  his  printed  Works,  and  by  Report.  Scarce  any  Man 
ever  pafs'd  through  the  World  with  a  more  unexceptionable 
Character  or  a  more  univerfal  Reputation  with  all  that  knew 
him:  every  one  f peaking  of  him  with  high  Efteem,  for  his 
Piety,  his  Judgment,  and  his  Minifterial  Accomplifhments 
and  Performances.  In  fhort,  he  has  long  fhone  among  us, 
as  a  Chriftian  and  a  Divine  of  the  firft  Figure  in  our  Zion. 
And  in  very  advanced  Age,  his  Wifdom  ftill  remained  with 
him ;  his  mental  Powers  retaining  their  Vigour  in  an  uncom- 
mon Degree,  and  his  Graces  daily  rif  ing  towards  Perfection.  — 
But  alas,  the  beft  and  longeft  Life  muft  have  a  Period. 

On  Decemb.  25.  1749.  he  was  confined  to  his  Houfe,  by 
bodily  Indifpofitions,  which  gradually  increafed  upon  him, 
nd  at  length  terminated  in  his  Deceafe.  It  is  remarkable, 
the  Circumftances,  both  natural  and  moral,  of  his  final 
Ilnefs  and  Dying,  very  much  correfponded  to  the  general 
Habit  and  Tenor  of  his  preceeding  Life.  For,  although  he 
had  nothing  robuft  in  his  Conftitution,  but  rather  was  of  a 
feeble  Make,  and  although  he  led  a  very  ftudious,  fedentary 
Life  (which  is.  much  Wearinefs  to  the  Flefh,  and  exhaufts 
the  Spirits)  yet  through  the  Divine  Bleffing,  by  means  of 
his  ftrict  and  fteady  Temperance,  his  keeping  to  an  exact 
Regimen  in  almoft  every  Thing,  and  preferving  an  habitual 
Tranquillity  of  Mind,  he  ufually  enjoy'd  a  confiderable 
Share  of  Health  and  Eafe;  for  many  Years  fcarce  knowing, 
by  any  Experience  what  Pain  or  Sickness  meant.  Even  fo, 
in  the  laft  Stage  of  Life,  and  under  the  Approaches  of  Death, 
he  found  himfelf  ftill  very  gracioufly  dealt  with  in  this  Regard ; 
being  never  exercifed  with  any  fevere  Dolour,  or  very  dif- 


REV.    MR.   NEHEMIAH    WALTER  107 

treffing  Malady,  during  the  whole  time  of  his  long  Confine- 
ment and  Decay.  And,  what  was  a  greater  Mercy,  he  ftill 
enjoy'd  much  of  his  ufual  Compofure  of  Thought,  and 
Sedatenefs  of  Temper,  free  from  the  Ruffles  of  Paffion,  and 
not  overborne  by  difquieting  Reflections,  or  difmaying 
Apprehenf ions ;  but  with  much  Humblenefs  of  Mind  lying 
at  the  Foot  of  a  holy  wife,  gracious,  and  fovereign  God,  he 
was  calmly  submiffive  to  the  Divine  Will,  and  in  Faith 
refigned  himfelf  into  the  Hands  of  a  dear  Redeemer.  —  His 
waking  Hours,  for  the  moft  part  (as  it  appear'd  to  his  Atten- 
dants and  Friends  about  him)  were  continually  employ'd  in 
filent,  but  fervent  Devotion.  —  He  liv'd  and  died  in  the 
Belief  of  the  holy  Angels  Miniftration  to  the  Saints.  A 
Friend  having  obferved  to  him,  that  although  the  Miniftry 
of  Angels  was  not  now  fo  fenfible  as  in  ancient  Times,  yet 
doubtlefs  it  was  as  real;  he  reply'd,  I  am  fully  of  that  Mind 
and  believe  that  God  now  ufes  the  Ministry  of  Angels  to  the 
Saints,  in  their  Life  and  at  their  Death.  Adding  withal, 
I  am  waiting  the  few  remaining  Days  of  my  appointed  Time. 
Which  (in  his  modeft  and  ever  cautious  way  of  fpeaking) 
might  import  as  much  as  if  he  had  faid,  more  peremptorily 
and  boldly,  in  the  Language  of  the  memorable  Mr.  Newman 
(of  Rehoboth)  on  his  Death  bed,  "Now  x\ngels,  do  your 
Office!"  As  to  his  Litereft  in  the  Promifes,  which  are  in 
Christ  Yea,  and  in  him  Amen,  to  the  glory  of  God,  he  appear'd 
to  have  a  good  Hope  through  Grace,  without  any  diftreffing 
Doubts,  or  the  leaft  Fear  of  Amazement.  —  To  a  Minifter, 
converfing  with  him  on  his  Death-bed,  he  had  (among  others) 
fome  fuch  Sayings  as  thefe:  If  Hatred  of  Sin  be  a  good 
Evidence,  I  think  I  have  That.  —  Christ  is  precious  to  them 
which  believe;  but  the  Damned  in  Hell  are  perpetually 
blafpheming  and  difhonouring  Christ;  and  I  can't  bear  the 
Thought  of  doing  This !  —  To  another  Minifter,  fpeaking 


108  THE   SECOND    MEETING   HOUSE 

fomething  for  his  Confolation  not  long  before  his  Death,  he 
reply'd,  I  hope  to  find  Mercy  of  the  Lord  in  that  Day !  And 
to  a  Chriftian  Neighbour,  he  fpake  more  fully  in  the  Lan- 
guage of  Affurance,  repeating  with  SeK-Application  thofe 
triumphant  Expreffions  of  the  Apoftle  (2  Tim.  1.  12)  I  know 
whom  I  have  believed  and  am  perfuaded.  He  is  able  to  keep 
that  which  I  have  committed  to  him  againft  that  Day.  — 
Thus  having  lived  by  the  Faith  of  the  Son  of  God,  he  alfo 
died  in  Faith,  and  fell  afleep  in  Jesus;  —  fatiffy'd  with  long 
life. 

He  expired  on  the  17*1^  of  Sept.  1750  when  he  wanted  but 
about  3  Months  of  being  87  Years  old.  The  longeft  Uv'd 
Minifter  in  all  New  England,  we  fuppofe,  excepting  a  few 
inftances;  two  formerly,  Mr.  Ward  of  Haverhill,  and  Mr. 
Higginson  of  Salem;  and  two  more  lately,  Mr.  Cheever  of 
Chelfea,  and  Mr.  Stone  of  Harwich.  —  And  it  feems  worthy 
of  Remark,  that  the  Continuation  of  Mr.  Eliot's  and  Mr. 
Walter's  Miniftry,  who  (as  already  obferv'd)  were  for  a 
Seafon  contemporary  Paftors  of  the  fame  Church,  extended 
to  almoft  a  Score  of  Years  above  one  intire  Century;  the 
former  being  Minifter  of  Roxbury  Church  near  58  and  the 
latter  above  60  Years,  fucceffively.  An  Inftance  without  a 
Parallel  in  this  Part  of  the  World,  and  the  Uke  perhaps  not 
to  be  met  with  in  all  Hiftory!  —  Though  it  ought  to  be 
noted,  in  the  mean  while  Roxbury  had  two  other  Minifters; 
viz.  Mr.  Samuel  Danforth  (Brother  to  the  memorable  Deputy 
Governor  Danforth)  Colleague  vdth  Mr.  Eliot,  for  about  a 
fifth  Part  of  the  Time,  and  died  (if  we  miftake  not)  in  the 
49th  Year  of  his  Age,  who  has  been  fam'd  for  an  excellent 
Scholar,  and  a  very  judicious,  methodical,  pathetical,  and 
truly  evangelical  Preacher;  and  many  Years  afterwards, 
Mr.  Thomas  Walter  (before  mention'd)  Colleague  with  his 
Father. 


REV.   MR,   NEHEMIAH   WALTER  109 

AKo  more  lately  another  was  chofen  in  Mr.  Walter's  Life- 
time to  be  his  Colleague,  and  was  Succeffor  to  him;  viz.,  Mr. 
Oliver  Peabody,  an  accomplifh'd  and  very  ingenious  Young 
Gentleman:  but  he  liv'd  not  many  Months  after  his  aged 
Predeceffor's  Deceafe.  —  And  Mr.  Adams  f ince  has  f ucceeded 
him;  for  whom  we  wifh,  that  he  may  attain  to  the  Days  of 
the  Years  of  the  Life  of  his  Fathers,  who  preceeded  in  his 
Charge,  and  have  their  God  to  be  with  him,  as  he  was  with 
them.  —  O  how  highly  favour'd  and  diftinguifh'd  has  this 
ancient  Church  of  Roxbury  been,  in  the  Enjoyment  of  fuch 
an  excelling  Difpenfation  of  the  Word!  Efpecially,  under 
the  long  protracted  Miniftry  of  the  late  incomparable  and 
ever -memorable  Mr.  Walter !  —  A  rich  Favour  of  Heaven  to 
his  People,  was  the  Gift  and  extended  Life  of  fuch  a  Minif ter ; 
whereby  very  eminently  a  Price  was  put  into  their  Hands  to 
get  Wifdom;  for  which  they  have  Reafon  to  be  exceeding 
thankful,  as  well  as  have  a  great  Account  to  give.  And  he 
being  dead,  yet  fpeaketh,  —  particularly  by  thefe  following 
and  other  his  printed  Difcourfes,  putting  them  in  Remem- 
brance of  the  Gof pel,  which  he  preached  to  them ;  which  they 
have  received,  and  wherein  (we  truft)  they  ftand;  by  which 
alfo  they  are  faved,  if  they  keep  in  Memory  what  he  preached 
unto  them,  unlefs  they  have  believed  in  vain.  —  His  printed 
Works  are  abiding  Remembrances  to  them  of  his  Thoughts 
in  Religion,  and  of  the  Leffons  of  Wifdom  he  taught  them, 
as  well  as  ftanding  Atteftations  to  his  Soundnefs  in  the 
Faith,  and  to  his  Fidelity  and  Skill  in  Preaching.  May  they 
ftill  remember  him  who  has  fpoken  to  them  the  good  Word 
of  God ;  and  none  of  them  be  forgetful  Hearers,  or  unfruitful 
Readers,  of  his  excellent  Sermons. 

To  our  Account  of  Mr.  Walter  we  fhall  only  add,  as  ufual, 
the  following  Particulars.  He  marry'd  a  Daughter  (Sarah) 
of  the  late  venerable  Dr.  Li crease  Mather  (who  was  long  a 


110  THE   SECOND    MEETING   HOUSE 

Minifter  of  the  North  Church  in  Bofton,  hving  to  the  Age  of 
about  85)  and  had  by  her  a  numerous  Offspring.  His  valu- 
able Comfort  with  four  of  his  Children  furvived  him,  viz.,  two 
Sons,  and  two  Daughters;  but  the  Younger  Daughter  fince 
dead.  —  The  Younger  Son  has  for  many  Years  been  the 
worthy  Minifter  of  the  fecond  Parifh  in  Roxbury. 

May  the  very  aged  and  pious  Widow,  with  the  remaining 
virtuous  Offspring  of  the  Deceafed  Man  of  God  receive 
the  full  Anfwer  of  his  fervent  and  believing  Prayers,  in 
Showers  of  Bleffings  upon  them !  —  May  his  Son  in  the 
Ministry,  and  may  his  prefent  Succeffor,  and  every  other 
Minister,  as  Elisha,  take  up  this  precious  Mantle  of  Elijah, 
and  with  a  double  Portion  of  that  excellent  Gofpel-Spirit, 
which  refted  on  him  fo  confpicuoufly  and  abundantly,  go  on 
and  profper  in  their  heavenly  and  divine  Employment! 
May  his  Flock,  and  others  through  the  Land,  attentively  hear 
what  the  Spirit  of  Christ  faith  now  to  them,  and  to  each 
Church  among  us  (Rev.  iii,  8-11).  Thou  haft  a  little 
Strength,  and  haft  kept  my  Word,  and  haft  not  denied  my 
Name.  —  Behold  I  come  quickly !  Hold  f aft  that  which 
thou  haft,  that  no  Man  take  thy  Crown. 

Boston,  March  21,  1755. 

Thomas  Prince, 

Thomas  Foxcroft. 

The  above  life  is  taken  from  a  book  published  in  1755 
entitled  Discourses  on  The  Whole  LV  Chapter  of  Isaiah, 
Preparatory  to  Communion  at  the  Lord's  Table,  to  which 
is  added.  The  Author's  last  Sermon,  by  that  pious,  judi- 
cious, and  learned  Divine,  the  Rev.  Mr.  Nehemiah  Walter, 
Late  Pastor  of  the  First  Church  in  Roxbury. 

It  is  headed,  "  A  Preface  Containing  fome  Minutes  of  the 
Rev.  Author's  Life  and  Character. " 


REV.   MR.   NEHEMIAH    WALTER  111 

Since  Books  are  ufually  valu'd  as  well  for  the  Author,  as 
the  Contents,  had  the  late  venerable  Mr.  Walter's  Name  and 
Worth  been  as  univerfally  known  in  the  World,  as  he  was 
juftly  reverenc'd  and  lov'd  by  all  acquainted  with  his  Perfon 
and  Character,  th6  genuine  Remains  of  fo  excellent  a  Divine 
might  have  been  ventur'd  abroad  upon  the  meer  Credit  of 
the  Title  Page.  .  .  .  The  Materials  of  the  Account  here 
given  of  him  are  collected,  partly  from  what  has  been  pub- 
lifhed  already,  partly  from  Roxbury  Church  Records,  partly 
from  our  own  perfonal  Kiiowledge  and  Converfation  with 
Him,  and  partly  from  Informations  receiv'd  of  his  People. 


112  THE   SECOND    MEETING   HOUSE 


REV.  MR.  THOMAS  WALTER 

The  second  son  of  the  Rev.  Nehemiah  and  Sarah  (Mather) 
Walter  was  born  in  Roxbury  Dec.  13,  1696,  and  early  gave 
evidence  of  the  most  extraordinary  genius.  In  his  younger 
days  he  was  not  a  hard  student,  being  of  a  convivial  turn  and 
fond  of  society,  but  so  retentive  was  his  memory  that  he 
easily  made  himself  master  of  almost  all  the  learning  of  his 
uncle,  Cotton  Mather,  by  frequent  conversation  with  him. 
In  this  way  he  acquired  more  knowledge  than  many  others 
could  have  gained  by  a  whole  life's  diligent  study.  He  was 
graduated  at  Harvard  College  in  1713  and  five  years  after 
received  a  call  to  become  an  assistant  pastor  to  his  father,  our 
reverend  pastor. 

He  was  ordained  Oct.  19, 1718,  and  on  the  25^^  Dec.  of  the 
same  year  married  Rebeckak,  daughter  of  the  Rev.  Joseph 
Belcher  of  Dedham,  by  whom  he  had  a  daughter  Rebeckah 
who  died  unmarried  in  1780. 

In  1719  he  engaged  in  a  public  controversy  with  his  intimate 
friend  and  associate,  John  Checkley,  a  man  who  combined 
great  wit  and  humor  with  infinite  learning. 

This  was  a  grief  to  his  father  and  his  uncle.  Dr.  Cotton 
Mather.  Checldey  had  sarcastically  attacked  the  wholesome 
doctrine  of  election  and  predestination,  in  a  pamphlet  entitled, 
"  Choice  Dialogues  between  a  Godly  Minister  and  an  Honest 
Countryman,  desecting  the  False  Principles  of  a  certain  man 
who  calls  himself  a  Presbyterian  of  the  Church  of  England. " 
This  Mr.  Walter  answered  in  a  12  mo  volume  of  80  pages, 
under  the  caption  of  "A  Choice  Dialogue  between  John 
Faustus  a  conjurer,  and  Jack  Tory  his  friend ;  occasioned  by 
some  Choice  Dialogues  lately  published  concerning  Pre- 
destination and  Election.     By  a  Young  Stripling. " 


REV.   MR.  THOMAS    WALTER  113 

In  1721,  Mr.  Walter  who  excelled  in  the  science  of  harmony, 
being  grieved  beyond  measure,  and  annoyed  at  the  very 
indifferent  performances  in  the  sanctuary,  published  a  neat 
12  mo  volume,  "  The  Grounds  and  Rules  of  Music  Explained ; 
or  an  Introduction  to  the  Art  of  Singing  by  Note:  Fitted  to 
the  meanest  capacity. "     Recommended  by  several  ministers. 

Mr.  Walter's  other  works  which  have  come  down  to  us 
are,  "A  Sermon  upon  2nd  Samuel  xxiii,  1.  The  sweet 
psalmist  of  Irael, "  which  was  delivered  at  the  Boston  Lecture, 
1722,  printed  at  the  desire  of  the  ministers,  and  dedicated  to 
Judge  Dudley.  This  discourse  has  been  pronounced  "the 
most  beautiful  composition  among  the  sermons  which  have 
been  handed  down  to  us  from  our  fathers. "  "  The  Scriptures 
the  only  Rule  of  Faith  and  Practice, "  dictated  while  languish- 
ing upon  his  bed  of  suffering,  overcome  with  pain  and  weak- 
ness, and  written  down  by  a  beloved  friend,  published  in 
1728,  and  two  other  occasional  sermons. 

Mr.  Walter  was  one  of  the  most  distinguished  scholars 
and  disputants  of  the  day.  "He  had  all  of  his  father's 
vivacity  and  richness  of  imagination  with  more  vigor  of 
intellect."  Rev.  Dr.  Chauncy,  in  a  letter  to  Dr.  Stiles,  1768, 
writes:  "Mr.  Jeremiah  Dummer,  Mr.  John  Bulkley,  and 
Mr.  Thomas  Walter  of  Roxbury,  I  reckon  the  first  three 
clergymen,  for  extent  and  strength  of  genius  and  powers, 
New  England  has  yet  produced.  I  was  acquainted  with 
the  latter,  and  often  had  occasion  to  admire  the  superlative 
excellence  of  his  natural  and  acquired  accomplishments. 
His  genius  was  universal,  and  yet  surprisingly  strong.  He 
seemed  to  have  almost  an  intuitive  knowledge  of  everything. 
There  was  no  subject  but  he  was  perfectly  acquainted  with; 
and  such  was  the  power  he  had  over  his  thoughts  and  words, 
that  he  could  readily  and  without  any  pains,  write  or  speak 
just  what  he  would."     In  his  last  illness  he  was  for  a  time 


114  THE   SECOND    MEETING   HOUSE 

anxious  for  the  salvation  of  his  soul.  Cotton  Mather,  in 
his  funeral  sermon,  has  given  us  a  vivid  account  of  his  dying 
hours.  Prostrated  by  consumption,  "  he  went  over  and  over 
again  through  the  process  of  repentance,"  making  just 
reflections  upon  the  youthful  errors  into  w^hich  his  good 
temper  had  betrayed  him;  and  greatly  distressed  v^^ith  the 
fear  of  his  miscarrying  at  last;  saying,  '  O,  it  is  a  great  thing 
to  die.'  "  At  length  his  father  came  to  his  relief  with  vic- 
torious and  overwhelming  remonstrance.  "My  dear  son, 
were  our  Saviour  visibly  here,  as  once  in  the  days  of  his 
humiliation,  and  you  should  prostrate  yourself  before  Him 
and  beseech  His  compassion,  and  a  heart  to  love  him,  can 
you  imagine  he  would  reject  you  "?  How  strange  then  is  this 
unbelief,  to  be  discouraged  from  that  which  carries  infinite 
encouragement  with  it.  As  if  His  power  and  goodness  were 
less,  or  our  access  to  Him  more  difficult,  now  that  He  is 
seated  on  the  throne  of  His  glory."  His  apprehensions 
being  thus  removed,  he  said  more  composedly,  "  If  I  perish, 
I  will  perish  in  the  hands  of  my  Saviour,  and  though  he  slay 
me,  yet  will  I  trust  in  him."  Thencefore  his  fears  were 
swallowed  up  in  the  hope  of  a  blessed  immortality.  "  I  shall 
be  the  most  glorious  instance  of  soverign  grace  in  all  heaven," 
he  said.  It  was  the  Sabbath,  Jan.  10,  1724/5,  and  he 
expressed  his  hope  that  he  should  that  day  be  in  Paradise. 
His  father,  as  the  time  drew  near  for  the  morning  service, 
said  to  him,  "  I  am  going  to  the  house  of  God,  which  is  the 
gate  of  heaven,  but  you,  I  hope,  are  going  to  heaven  itself;  I 
go  to  the  table  of  the  Lord,  but  you  will  drink  of  the  fruit  of 
the  vine  new  with  Christ  in  the  kingdom  of  his  Father." 
Then  taking  his  leave,  and  not  expecting  ever  to  see  his  son 
alive  Eigain,  "My  child,  the  Lord  Jesus  receive  thy  spirit;" 
"and  the  Lord  fit  it  for  his  reception,"  he  replied.  Mr. 
Walter  lingered  until  near  the  close  of  the  afternoon  when 


REV.    MR.   THOMAS    WALTER  115 

he  gently  expired.  "He  was  to  me,"  says  Cotton  Mather, 
"not  unhke  what  a  sister's  son  was  to  Paul,  and  his  death 
makes  a  sorrowful  time  for  us.  His  rare  accomplishments, 
his  acute  penetration,  his  copious  erudition,  with  his  right 
principles,  render  him  an  unknown  loss  to  our  churches. 
But  that  which  makes  him  to  be  remembered  with  the  more 
honor  among  us  is,  that  his  heart  was  fixed  in  his  purposes 
and  endeavors  to  employ  all  those  bright  abilities  in  the  ser- 
vice of  Christ." 

His  remains  were  deposited  in  the  same  tomb  wherein 
years  afterwards  his  father's  body  was  placed.  And  the 
following  account,  copied  from  the  original,  may  not  at  this 
day  be  uninteresting :  — 

Jan'y  12,  1724/5 

An  Acc't  of  the  Funeral  Charges  of  the  Rev.  Mr.  Thomas  Walter. 

£    s     d 

To  a  coffin      2  10  0 

the  pall 0  12  0 

opening  the  tomb 0  10  0 

5  dozen  and  three  payrs  of  gloves,  at  455 12  00  0 

6  rings 6  12  0 

a  barrel  of  wine      9  01  6 

tolling  the  bell 0  01  6 

a  box  to  put  the  bones  of  old  Mr.  Eliot  and  others  in    .    .    .  0  06  0 

pipes  and  tobacco 0  03  0 

three  payres  of  women's  mourning  gloves,   allowed  to  this 

account  by  the  town,  att  36  shil 1  16  0 

33  12  0 

Josh.  Lamb, 
Caleb  Stedman, 
Samuel  Stevens. 


116  THE  SECOND    MEETING   HOUSE 


RULING   ELDERS 

Mr.  John  Bowles  was  an  early  inhabitant  of  Roxbury, 

arriving  here  about  1640,  m.  (1)  Dorothy ,  (2)  EHzabeth 

Heath,  (3)    Sarah .     Freeman,    1640.     Artillery    Co. 

1645;  one  of  the  founders  of  the  "  Free  Schoole"  of  which  he 
was  for  many  years  a  Feoffee  and  seems  to  have  been  active 
and  influential  in  the  management  of  the  public  affairs  of  the 
town.  He  was  a  leading  member  of  the  Massachusetts  Cor- 
poration for  Colonizing  New  England,  and  in  1645  a  deputy 
to  the  General  Court.  The  remonstrance  of  Roxbury  to 
the  General  Court,  28th  of  October,  1664,  against  the  sur- 
render of  the  Royal  Charter,  was  signed  first  by  the  Apostle 
Eliot,  and  next  by  JohnBowles.  Li  1674,  4  mo.  6  d.,  he  was 
called  to  the  office  of  Ruling  Elder  in  this  church  which  oflSce 
he  held  until  his  death,  Sept.  21,  1680,  being  killed  by  a  cart 
wheel  running  over  his  body.  He  was  always  a  warm  and 
faithful  friend  of  the  Apostle  Eliot  who  wrote:  "Prudent 
and  gracious  men  set  over  our  churches  for  the  assistance 
of  their  pastors,  such  helps  in  government  had  he  (Eliot) 
been  blessed  withall ;  the  last  of  which  was  the  well  deserving 
Elder  Bowles."  And,  again,  in  a  speech  to  a  synod  of  all 
the  churches  in  this  Colony  (12  May,  1680)  he  said,  "  There 
is  my  brother  Bowles  the  godly  Elder  of  our  Church  at  Rox- 
bury, God  helps  him  to  do  great  things  among  us."  Li  the 
will  of  Mr.  Bowles  we  find  the  following  bequest :  "  To  the 
Rev.  John  Eliot,  twenty  shillings  in  token  of  my  love  and 
service  due  to  him." 

Mr.  John  Pierpont,  bom  in  London,  England,  in  1619, 
married  Thankful  Stow.  Died  in  Roxbury,  Dec.  7,  1682. 
A  malster  by  trade  and  he  owned  the  first  Fulling  Mill  in 


RULING  ELDERS  117 

Roxbury.  He  was  orderly  nominated  Ruling  Elder  1674. 
4  mo.,  6  d.,  but  not  yet  called,  left  to  consideration.  As  no 
further  mention  is  made  he  must  have  served,  as  he  is  men- 
tioned as  a  Ruling  Elder  and  Selectman  of  the  town  and 
Deputy  to  the  General  Court. 

Mr.  Samuel  Williams,  son  of  Robert  and  Elizabeth 
(Stalham)  Williams,  was  bom  about  1632  and  was,  like  his 
father,  a  cordwainer.  Took  the  Freeman's  oath  March 
1658.  Married  Theoda,  daughter  of  Deacon  William  Parke. 
He  was  nominated  to  be  called  a  Ruling  Elder  of  this  church 
Nov.  9,  1677.     Died  Sept.  28,  1698. 

Mr.  John  Bowles,  son  of  John  and  Elizabeth  (Heath) 
Bowles,  was  baptised  June  27,  1653,  in  Roxbury.  He  was 
graduated  at  Harvard  College  in  1671.  Master  of  Arts  in 
1675.  Married  Sarah,  daughter  of  John  Eliot,  Jr.  Deputy 
to  the  General  Court  1689-90  and  Speaker  of  the  House. 
July  15,  1688,  he  was  called  to  officiate  in  the  office  of  a 
Ruling  Elder  until  such  time  as  God  please  to  restore  his 
health  and  capitate  him  to  the  ministry.  Died  March  30, 
1691. 


118  THE   SECOND    MEETING   HOUSE 

DEACONS 

Mr.  William  Parke  (see  First  Meeting  House). 

Mr.  Giles  Paison  (see  First  Meeting  House). 

Mr.  William  Gary  (Geary),  son  of  Arthur  and  Frances 
Gary,  was  born  in  England  in  1629.  Came  to  Roxbury  with 
his  parents.  Married  Hannah  Curtis.  Freeman  1652. 
Deputy  1675.  Ordained  Deacon  before  Jan.  1686/7.  Died 
Sept.  4,  1712. 

Mr.  Samuel  Scarborough,  son  of  John  and  Mary 
(Smith)  Scarborough,  was  baptised  in  Roxbury,  January  1, 

1645/6.     Married  Bethia .     A  cordwainer  by  trade. 

Ordained  Deacon  before'  1700.     Died  March  18,  1714/15. 

Mr.  John  Paison  (Payson),  son  of  Edward  and  Mary 
(EHot)  Paison,  baptised  June  18,  1643  in  Roxbury.     Married 

(1)    Bathsheba    Tileston;    (2)    Hannah .      Ordained 

Deacon  before  1715.     Died  Nov.  15,  1719,  in  Roxbury. 

Mr.  John  Mayo,  son  of  John  and  Hannah  (Graves) 
Mayo,  baptised  Feb.  20, 1658/9,  in  Roxbury.  Married  Sarah 
Burden.  Ordained  Deacon  before  1711.  Died  Feb.  25, 
1732/3. 

Mr.  John  May,  son  of  John  and  Sarah  (Brewer-Bruce) 
May,  baptised  May  24,  1663,  in  Roxbury.  Freeman  1690. 
Married  Prudence  Bridge.  Selectman  of  Roxbury.  Or- 
dained Deacon  before  1711.     Died  Feb.  24,  1730/1.     - 


DEACONS  119 


Mr.  John  Paison  (Payson),  son  of  John  and  Bathsheba 
(Tileston)  Paison,  baptised  Aug.  18,  1678;  m.  Elizabeth  Child. 
Ordained  Deacon  before  1732  and  before  March  1738/9  he 
was  set  off  to  the  Second  Precinct  where  he  was  a  Deacon. 
Died  Jan.  6,  1747/8. 

Mr.  Edward  Ruggles,  son  of  John  and  Martha  (Devo- 
tion) Ruggles,  born  Oct.  2,  1691,  in  Roxbury;  m.  (1)  Hannah 
Crafts;  (2)  Abigail  Williams.  A  farmer  and  a  man  of  means. 
Percinct  Treasurer.  Ordained  Deacon  before  1732.  He  was 
a  Deacon  in  1748  when  Nehemiah  Walter,  Clerk,  Edward 
Ruggles  and  Samuel  Gridley,  deacons  of  the  First  Church 
in  Roxbury,  sold  a  piece  of  land  being  a  gift  to  the  church. 
He  removed  to  Cambridge  between  February  and  July, 
1753.     Died  Sept.  16,  1765,  in  Cambridge. 

Mr.  Samuel  Gridley,  a  cordwainer,  came  to  Roxbury 

from    Pomfret,  Conn.,  about   1727;  m.    (1)   Abigail ; 

(2)  Mary  George;  (3)  Abigail  Baker.  Ordained  Deacon  in 
1736.  For  many  years  he  was  Town  Clerk  and  Selectman  of 
Roxbury.  June  3,  1763,  he  was  chosen  Moderator  to  keep 
the  meeting  alive,  as  Col.  Joseph  Williams  was  obliged  to  be 
absent  to  attend  Court.     Died  March  4,  1776. 


120 


THE   SECOND   MEETING  HOUSE 


CHURCH   MEMBERS 


Nov.  15,  1674.  — 

Samuel  Perry. 

Elizabeth  Holdridge. 
Jan.  3,  1674/5.  — 

Samuel  Scarbro. 

Rebecca  Scarbro,  his  wife. 

Benjamin  Tucker. 

Ann  Tucker,  his  wife. 
Jan.  24,  1674/5.  — 

Mary    Lambe,    wife    of    Joshua 
Lambe. 

Sarah    Onion,   dau.    of    Robert 
Onion. 

Elizabeth  Hawly. 

Dorothy  Hawly. 
Jan.  31,  1674/5.  — 

John  Ruggles,  junior. 

Martha  Ruggles,  his  wife. 

Elizabeth  Crafts. 

Joshua  Seaver. 

Hannah  Devotion. 
March  7,  1674/5.  — 

John  Davis,  junior. 

Mary  Davis,  his  wife. 

Susanna,  wife  of  Thomas  Mory. 
March  18,  1674/5.     Sarah  Cleaves. 
March  28,  1675.  — 

John  Newel. 

Elizabeth,  wife  of  Joseph  Weld. 

Mary,  wife  of  Robert  Baker. 

Abigail  Gardner. 

Johanna  Gardner. 

Bethiah  Wise. 

Katherin  Wise. 

Sarah  Pepper. 
April  25,  1675.  — 

Mr.  Thomas  Weld. 

Mr.  John  Bowles. 


June  27,  1675. — 
Elizabeth  Onion. 
Hannah  Onion, 
Abigail  Clark. 
Mercy  Clark. 
Abigail  Griffin. 
July  15,  1675.     Experience  Bugby, 

wife  of  Joseph  Bugby. 
Sept.  12,  1675.     John  Bugby. 
Nov.  28,  1675.    Widow  of  Phillip 

Ciutis. 
Feb.  13,  1675/6.     Samuel  Ruggles. 
Feb.    20,    1675/6.      Elizabeth,  wife 

of  John  White. 
July  2,  1676.  — 
Rebecca,  wife  of  Moses  Crafts. 
Sarah  Mayes    1 
Abigail  Mays    [  maids. 
Hannah  Porter] 
July  23,  1676.     Mrs.  Mary  Morie 
of  Milton,  dau.  of  James  Clark. 
Sept.  10,  1676.  — 
Mrs.   Lidea  Elder,  dau.   of  bro. 

Holmes. 
Mary  Pepper,  widow  of  Joseph 
Pepper. 
Oct.  1,  1676.    Mary  Davis,  wife  of 

John  Davis. 
Dec.   3,    1676.    Elizabeth,  wife   of 

Abiel  Lambe. 
Dec.  31, 1676.    Elizabeth  Lawrence, 

a  godly  maide. 
Feb.  11,  1676/7.  — 
Abigail,  wife  of  William  Lyon. 
Johannah,  dau.  of  Thorn.  Gard- 
ner. 
Feb.  25,  1676/7.  — 
John  Weld,  junior. 


CHURCH   MEMBERS 


121 


sons  of 
Thomas  Weld. 


Ann    Paison,    dismissed     to    1st 
Church  of  Dorchester. 
April  29,  1677.     John  White,  senior, 

of  Muddy  River. 
May  6,  1677.  — 

Jonathan  Winchester. 

Mary  Winchester,  his  wife. 
July  29,  1677.  — 

Elizabeth,  wife  of  William  Gary. 

Abigail,  wife  of  John  Clark. 

Samuel  Weld  ] 

John  Weld 

EdmondWeldJ 
Aug.  19,  1677.  — 

WilHam  Lyon,  junior. 

Hannah  Winchester. 
Sept.  30,  1677.    John  Clark. 
Nov.  25,  1677.    Uriah  Clarke. 
Jan.  27,  1677/8.  — 

Experience  Peirpoynt. 

Johanna,  wife  of  Joshua  Henning- 
way. 

Ruth,  wife  of  John  Grovnor. 
March  17,  1677/8.  — 

Deborah,   wife  of  Samuel   Scar- 
brow. 

Mary,  wife  of  John  Hinningway. 
March  24,   1678.     Abraham  How, 

jr.,  farmer. 
April  14,  1678.  — 

Sarah  Gardner. 

EUzabeth  Chandler. 
May  5,  1678.    John  Scot. 
July     7,     1678,         Mr.     Thomas 

Boylston. 
July  11,  1678.    Andrew  Gardner. 
Oct.  13,  1678.  — 

Sarah,  wife  of  Andrew  Gardner. 

Mary,  wife  of  Joshua  Seaver. 

Priscilla,  dau.  of  Robert  Harris. 
March  1,  1678/9.  — 

Joseph  Lyon. 

Widdow  Stevens. 


March  30,  1679.  — 

Timothy  Stevens. 

Jakob  NeweU. 

Isaac  Newell. 

John  Mayo. 
April  13,  1679.     John  Chandler. 
April  20,  1679.  — 

Jabesh  Totman 

Samuel  Willias    1  children  of 

Elizabeth  WilliasJ     Samuel. 
April  27,  1679.      Mr.  Thomas  Weld 

junior. 
May  11,  1679.  — 

Ehzabeth  Gary    1 

Mehitabel  Heath  >   maides. 

Hannah  Mayo     J 

June  1,  1679.  — 

Epraim  Paison  1  ,  ., ,          , 

c          ,  T.  .  children  of 

oamuel  Paison  }  _ ,        , 

,,       T,  .  hdward. 
Mary  Paison      J 

John  Devotion. 
Aug.  17,  1679.  — 

Margret  Parker,  dau.  to  Widdow 

Cleaves. 
Joseph  Hawly,  dismissed  to  the 
church  at  Northampton. 
Nov.  2,  1679.  — 
Sarah  Saben. 
Mary  Gardner. 
Jan.,  1679/80  — 

Elizabeth  Williams,  dismissed   to 

the  church  at  Rehoboth. 
Mary  Drew,   dismissed     to     the 
church  at  Cambridge  village. 
March   1,   1679/80.      John  White, 

junior. 
March   14,  1679/80.      Josiah  Win- 
chester, farmer. 
March  28,  1680.  — 
Deliverance  Duncan. 
Deborah  Devotion. 
April  4,  1680.    Mr.  John  Bowles 


122 


THE  SECOND   MEETING   HOUSE 


May  2,  1680.    Edward  Paison,  dis- 
missed to  Rowley. 

July  18,  1680.  — 

Elizabeth  Colton. 

Sarah  Eliot. 

Mary  Danforth. 

Dorothy  Weld,  as  widow  of  Samuel 
Williams,  owner    of    Pew   No. 
19,  Third  Meeting  House. 
Jan.  23,  1680/1.  — 

Thomas  Woodward,  junior. 

Esther  Woodward. 

Hannah  Woodward. 

Sarah  Devotion. 
March  20,  1680/1.  — 

Joseph  Weld. 

Sarah  Clark. 

Elizabeth  White. 

Elizabeth  Heath. 

Hannah  Cleaves. 
March  27,  1681.  — 

Elizabeth  Pike. 

Mary,  Widdow  Winchester. 

Elizabeth  Gary. 
April  24,  1681.  — 

Sarah,  wife  of  Joseph  Weld. 

Hannah  Weld. 

Johannah  Brewer. 

Mehitable  Mayse. 

Hannah  Brewer. 

Elizabeth  Morice. 
Aug.  21,  1681.  — 

Mary  Weld        1 

Grace  Morrice    I 

Elizabeth  Bowen 

Prudence  Bridge^ 
Oct.  2,  1681.  — 

Abigail  Heath. 

Naomi  Mays. 
Oct.  23,  1681.  — 

Isaak  Heath,  junior,  and  his  wife. 

Nathaniel  Wilson. 


maides. 


Jan.  15,  1681/2.     Jakob  Pigg. 

Feb.  19,  1681/2.  John  Danforth, 
dismissed  from  Roxbury  to  be 
Pastor  of  Dorchester  church. 

June  4,  1682.     Elizabeth  Phillips. 

Sept.  17,  1682.  — 

Mary,  wife  of  Joseph  Lyon. 

Hannah,  wife  of  Philip  Searle. 
Feb.  25,  1682/3. 

Benjamin  Dowse. 

Jonathan  Tory. 
March  11,  1682/3.     Joseph  Wilson. 
March  15,  1682/3.  — 

Martha  Sharp. 

Francis  Prentice. 
April  22,  1683.  — 

Narah  Newel. 

Elizabeth  Newel. 
Dec.  2,  1683.  — 

James  Peirpont,  son  of  John. 

William  Dennison,  son  of  Edward. 

Jan.  6,  1683/4.  — 

John  Williams     ]    two  hopfull 
William  Williams] young  scholars. 
Mary,  wife  of  Joseph  Gardner. 

Feb.  17, 1683/4.  — 
Moses  Draper. 
Rebeccah  Hubbard. 

Feb.  24,  1683/4.  — 
Benjamin  Tukker. 
Thomas  Lyon. 

March  2,  1683/4.  John  Davis, 
senior. 

March  9,  1683/4.  — 
Benjamin  Saben. 
Steven  Williams. 
Samuel  Scarbro. 

March  23,  1684.  — 
John  Grigs,  senior. 
Thomas  Bishop. 


CHURCH    MEMBERS 


123 


John  Peirpont 

Joseph  Grifiin 

Jonathan  Davis 

Nathaniel  Brewer 

Joseph  Weld,  junior 

Joseph  Peirpont 

Benjamin  Peirpont 

Joseph  Buckmaster 

Mary  Searl,  wife  of  John  Searl. 


male  youths. 


Rebecca  Ruggles 
Margret  Searl 
Rebecca  Newel 
Leah  Fisher 
Mary  Newel 
Rebecca  Mayo 

March  30,  1684.  — 
Abraham  Gorton 
John  Chandler 
Eleazer  Mays 
Daniel  Druer,  junior 
Phillip  Searl,  junior 
Jakob  Parker 

March  30,  1684.  — 
Sarah  Gary 
Mary  Davis 
Sarah  Brewer 
Rebecca  Polly 
Mary  Baker 
Hannah  Chandler 
Samuel  Williams,  junior. 
Joseph  Weld,  senior. 
John  Whitney. 

April  6,  1684.  — 
Richard  HaU. 
Francis  Youngman. 
Elizabeth  Crafts. 
Hanna  Crafts. 
Ann  Tucker. 
Hannah  Grigs. 
Mary  Swan. 
Mary  Lambe. 
Sarah  Bowles. 


dau.  of  John 
Ruggles,  junior. 

female  youth. 


male  youths. 


female  youths. 


young  persons. 


Hannah  Weld. 

Sarah  Williams. 
April  13,  1684.  — 

John  Mays, 

Thomas  Chany     merchant, 

Wilha  Chany 

John  Chany         young  persons. 

Daniel  Harris 

Benjamin  Child 

Margret  Weld 

Sarah  Stevens 

Abigail  Wise 

Annah  Goare 

Abigail  Davis 

Faith  Newel 

Deborah  Willia 

Sarah  Willias 

Mary  WUhas 

Sarah  Homes 

Anna  Goare 
April  20,  1684.  — 

Daniel  Brewer,  senior. 

Samuel  Ruggs,  junior. 

John  Harris. 
April  27,  1684.  — 

Nathaniel  Homes. 

John  Davis. 

Samuel  Lyon. 
May  4,  1684.  — 

Hannah  Ruggles. 

Patienc  Homes. 

Hannah  White. 

Abiel  Lamb. 

Joseph  Bugby,  senior. 

John  Crafts. 

Nathaniel  Sanger  and  his  wife. 
May  11,  1684.  — 

Joseph  Bugby,  junior. 

Ebenezer  Merice. 

Timothy  Stevens. 

Ebenezer  Willias. 

Thomas  Boylston,  junior. 

Thomas  Gardner,  junior. 


124 


THE  SECOND   MEETING  HOUSE 


Abigal  Davis. 

Rebecca  Bugby. 

Elizabeth  Child. 

Mary  Sanger. 

Mary  Boylston,  junior. 

Mary  Duncan. 

Melaliah  Hawkins. 
June  5, 1684.     Hannah,  w.  of  Joseph 
Goad,    dismissed    from     Dor- 
chester. 
June  15,  1684.  — 

Mary  Boylston,  senior. 

Elizabeth  Gore. 

Mary  Lyon. 

Sarah  Weld. 

Mary  Baker. 

Hannah  Chamberlain. 

Mary  Lambe. 
June  22,  1684.  — 

EUzabeth  Hall. 

Mary  Mashcraft. 

John  Leavens. 

Abiel  Davis. 

John  Simonson, 

John  Seaver. 

John  Stevens. 
June  29,  1684.  — 

Caleb  Lamb. 

Joshua  Lamb. 

Richard  Davis. 
July  6,  1684.    Uriah  Clark. 
July  20,  1684.  — 

John  Clark. 

Lidea  Clark,  his  wife. 

Mary  Bukmaster. 
Aug.  24,  1684.     Isaak  Curtis. 
Sept.  7,  1684.     Joseph  Griffin. 
Dec.  28,  1684.     Hannah  Wilson, 

wife  of  Nathaniel. 
March  5,  1684/5.  — 

Abigail  Newall. 

Sarah  Burden. 

Jakob  Chamberlin. 


March  15,  1684/5.  — 

Thorn.  Baker. 

Joseph  Baker. 

Thomas  Ruggles. 

Edward  Bugby. 
March  22,  1685.  — 

Thomas  Mory. 

Elizabeth  Cotton. 

Johannah  Winchester. 
April  5,  1685.  — 

Hannah,  wife  of  John  Devotion. 

Mehitable  Aspinal. 

Elizabeth  Aspinal. 

Peter  Aspinal. 

Nathaniel  Aspinal. 

Samuel  Aspinal. 

Nathaniel  Bruer. 
May  10,  1685.  — 

William  Heath. 

Margret  Bowin. 

Sarah  BuUard. 

Margret  Morrice. 

Sarah  Brakket. 

Elizabeth  Whitney. 

Rachel  Davis. 
May  17,  1685.     Matthew  Brand. 
June  7,  1685.  — 

John  Marcy,  son  of  the  high 
sheriff  of  Limerick,  Ireland, 
born  about  1662,  m.  Sarah 
Hadlock.  In  April,  1686,  he 
moved  to  Quatosett  (Wood- 
stock), Conn. 

Hannah  Newel. 

Mary  Crafts. 

Elizabeth  Crafts. 

Susanna  Pike. 
June  14,  1685.  — 

Susanna  Morey. 

Sarah  Frizal. 

Mary  Woodward. 

Mary  Burden. 

Mehitabel  Mayo. 


CHURCH    MEMBERS 


125 


July  12,  1685.  — 
Mary  Murreene. 
Rebecca  Murreene. 
Elizabeth  Grigs. 
Sarah  Grigs. 
Sept.  20,  1685.  — 
Phillip  Mareen. 
William  Mareen. 
Elizabeth  Mareen. 
Nov.  22,  1685.     Josiah  Winchester. 
Nov.  29,  1685.     Thorn.  Hanshet. 
March    7,  1685/6.      Elizabeth,  wife 

of  Andrew  Watkins. 
April   4,   1686.      Sister   Accor,  dis- 
missed to  the  Church  at   Dun- 
stable. 
May  30,  1686.  — 

Sarah,  wife  of  Mr.  John  Gore. 
Sarah,  wife  of  Joseph  Griffin. 
June  27,  1686.     Sarah  Peakok. 
July  4,  1686.     Abigal  Bowin. 
July  25,  1686.  — 
Mary  Bowin. 
Jane  Davis. 
Oct.  10,  1686.    Sarah  Hadlock. 
Oct.  31,  1686.     Isaak  Howe. 
Nov.  14,  1686.    Nathaniel  Gary. 

Dec.  5, 1686, wife  of  Samuel 

Paison. 
Dec.  26,  1686.    Mary  Feilder. 
Nov.  26,  1687.    Mr.  John  Gore. 
Jan.  1,  1687/8. — 
Hannah  Smith. 
Prudence  Wade. 
Katherein  Chikkerin. 
Hannah  Ellis. 
Feb.  13,  1687/8.  — 

,  wife  of  Thomas  Cheany; 

junior. 
Elizabeth,  wife  of  Caleb  Phillips. 
Feb.    19,    1687/8.      Mr.    Jonathan 
Peirepoint. 


May  13,  1688.  — 

Hannah  Williams. 

Elizabeth       Williams,     dau.      of 
Stephen. 

Sarah  Crafts,  dau.  of  John  Crafts. 

Margret  Pairpoynt. 
June  10,  1688.    John  Baker. 
Oct.  21,  1688.  — 

Martha  Williams. 

Patience  Draper. 

Martha  Ramsey. 

Joseph  Kingsbury. 

John  Davis. 

Mary  Holebrook. 

Nathaniel  Holmes. 

Ebenezer  Holmes. 

Samuel  Knight. 

Sarah  Knight. 

Thomas  Aspinal. 

Joseph  Crafts. 
Oct.  28,  1688.  — 

Elizabeth  Morrice. 

Sarah  Mayo. 

Mehittabel  Mayo. 
March  2,  1688/9.  — 

Caleb  Sever. 

,  the  wife  of  Moses  Draper. 

April,  1689.  — 

John  Mayo. 

,  the  wife  of  Jacob  Pepper. 

May  13,  1689.  — 

Mehittabel  Heath. 

Abigail  Bowen. 
June  30,  1689.  — 

Benjamin  Griffin. 

Sarah  Davis. 
Aug.  4,  1689.  — 

John  Lyon. 

Hannah  Morrice. 

Grace  Child. 

Elizabeth  Child. 
Nov,  24,    1689.      Elizabeth  Child, 
jimior. 


126 


THE   SECOND    MEETING   HOUSE 


Feb.  25,  1689/90.     Sarah  Newel. 
April  13,  1690.  — 
John  Newel. 
John  Davis. 
Fennel  Bowen. 
Joanna  Harris. 
Mary  Chamberlain. 
Sarah  Brewer. 
May,  1690.  — 
John  May. 
Frudence  May. 
Elizabeth  Nuel. 
Elizabeth  Weld. 
July,  1690.  — 
Mehittabel  May. 
Naomi  May. 
Aug.,  1690.  — 
Hannah  Heath. 
Jonathan  Curtis. 
Sept.,  1690.  — 
Elizabeth  Brackett. 
Sarah  Davis. 
Mary  Mascraft. 
Dec,  1690.     Joshua  Gardiner. 
Feb.,  1690/1.     Mary  Gardiner. 
March,  1690/1.  — 
John  Winchester. 
Sarah  Haws. 
Mary  Bridges. 
May,  1691.    Edward  Morrice. 
June,  1691.     Robert  Baker. 
Oct.  1691.      John    White,    H.    C. 

1685. 
Feb.  1691/2.  — 

Joshua  Hemmingway,  moved  to 

Framingham. 
Margarett  Hemmingway,  his  wife. 
Anna  Goard. 
March,  1691/2.    Elizabeth  Hall. 
April,  1692.      Timothy  Stevens,  H. 
C.  1687. 


May,  1692.  — 

Josiah  Dwight,  H.  C.  1687. 

Thomas  Ruggles,  H.  C.  1690. 

Grace  Onion. 
August,  1692.       Daniel  Brewer,  H. 

C.  1687. 
April,  1693. 

Samuel  Weld. 

Susanna  Weld. 

Elizabeth  Mascraft. 
May,  1693.  — 

Ebenezer  Morrice. 

John  Johnson. 

Hannah  Mascraft. 
Aug.,  1693.    Ruth  Greerson. 
Nov.  20,  1693.     Hannah  Ruggles. 
Dec,  1693.     Mary  Winchester. 
July,  1694.     Katharine  Mather. 
Dec.  9,  1694.  — 

Christopher  Peake. 

William  Davis. 

John  Simeson. 
June  9,  1695.     Mary  Holland. 
July  7,  1695.    Matthew  Davis. 
Sept.,  1695.  — 

Susanna  Pike. 

Sarah  Crafts. 

Experience  Newel. 
Dec,  1695.  — 

Tryphena  Woodward. 

Harmah  Gary. 
Jan.,  1695/6.  — 

Joseph  Green,  H.  C.  1695. 

Abigail  Williams. 

Hannah  Merryfield. 
March,  1695/6.    Patience  Polly. 
June,  1696.     Susanna  Sabin. 
July,  1696.    Prudence  Swan. 
Dec,  1696.  — 

Paul  Dudley,  son  of  Governor 
Joseph  and  Rebecca  (Tyng) 
Dudley,  was  baptized  Sept. 
8,  1675,  in  Roxbury.     He  was 


CHURCH    MEMBERS 


127 


graduated  from  Harvard  Col- 
lege in  1690.  Studied  law  some 
time  here,  and  then  was  sent  to 
London  to  complete  his  educa- 
tion in  the  Temple.  He  returned 
in  ITO'J  when  his  father  was 
made  Governor,  as  Attorney 
Greneral  of  the  Province.  He 
was  a  member  of  the  Legisla- 
ture, of  the  Executive  Coimcil, 
and  Speaker  of  the  House.  A 
Justice  of  the  Supreme  Court 
from  1718  to  1745,  and  Chief 
Justice  from  1745  until  his 
death,  Jan.  25,  1751.  He  mar- 
ried Lucy  Wainwright.  He  was 
an  ardent  Naturalist,  and  one 
of  the  few  Americans  who  have 
been  honored  by  election  to 
membership  of  the  Royal  So- 
ciety of  London.  He  was  a 
benefactor  of  this  church,  of 
the  Roxbury  Latin  School,  and 
of  Harvard  College,  and  the 
founder  of  the  Dudleian  Lecture 
at  Harvard  College  for  the 
erection  of  which  he  bequeathed 
one  hundred  pounds.  Chief 
Justice  Sewall  says  he  was  a 
"  thorough  and  accomplished 
lawyer,  and  shone  with  great 
lustre  upon  the  bench,  dis- 
playing admirable  talents, 
quick  apprehension,  uncom- 
mon strength  of  memory,  and 
extensive  knowledge."  Owner 
of  Pew  No.  2,  Third  Meeting 
House. 
Mary  Baker. 

Feb.  7,  1696/7.    John  Druce. 

Feb.  15, 1696/7.    Elizabeth  Sanders. 

March,  1697.    Faith  Nuell. 


May,  1697.  — 

Mehittabel  Crafts. 

Sarah  Aspinall. 

Mary  Allen. 
June,  1697.     Lyddia  Bishop. 
Sept.,  1697.     Hannah  Parker. 
Oct.,  1697.  — 

James  Baily,dismissed  from  Salem. 

James  Baily,  junior. 
Nov.  13,  1698.  — 

Deborah  Warren. 

Elizabeth  Tucker. 

Priscilla  Williams.  . 
April,  1699.  — 

Joseph  Buckminster. 

Bathiah  Scarborough. 

Sarah  Phipps. 
May,  1699.  Dorothy  Denison. 
Sept.,  1699.  Ebenezer  Newell. 
May,  1700.  Sarah  Henneway. 
Oct.,  1700.  Mercy  Kingsbury. 
Nov.  10,  1700.  Joseph  Davis. 
Nov.  17,  1700.  — 

Joseph  Goddard  &  his  wife. 

Deborah  Goddard. 
Dec,  1700.     Rebecca  Johnston. 
Jan.,  1700/1.     Bethiah  Davis. 
May,  1701.     Charity  Davis. 
June,  1701.  — 

Sarah  Butcher. 

Mary  Bacon. 
Sept.,  1701.     John  Ingram. 
Dec,  1701.    Isaac  Morice. 
March  1,  1701/2.  — 

Margaret  White. 

Allice  Crafts. 

Ehzabeth  Crafts. 

Francis  White. 
May  19,  1702.    Ichabod  Davis. 
Jan.  31,  1702/3. — 

Sarah  Baker. 

Mary  Johnson. 
Feb.  21, 1702/3.  Elizabeth  Holbrook. 


128 


THE  SECOND    MEETING   HOUSE 


March,  1703.  — 

Benjamin  White,  son  of  Joseph. 

Nathaniel  Crafts,  a  turner,  miller, 
farmer. 

Patience  Crafts,  his  wife. 

Steven  Johns. 

Robert  Loverain,  cordwainer,  m. 
Alice  Crafts. 
Jime,  1703.  — 

Elizabeth  Brown. 

Martha  Brown. 

Mehittabel  Brown. 

Samuel  Sewal. 

Joshua  Ijamb. 

Rebecca  Sewal. 
July,  1703.    Susanna  Willis. 
Oct.,  1703.    Huldah  Ruggles. 
Feb.,  1703/4.    Dorothy  Bacon. 
March,  1703/4.    Lucy  Ruggles. 
May,  1704.  — 

Theodah  Williams. 

Thomas  Weld  [pius  juvenis  pre- 
matvu-e  objit  in  Christo  urcitur 
viginti  anuos  natus],  H.  C.  1701. 
June,  1704.  — 

Susanna  Curtis. 

Mehittabel  Curtis. 
Nov.,  1704.    Isaac  Bowen,  dismissed 
from  ye  church  at  Framingham. 
Jan.,  1704/5.  — 

Joanna  Stevens. 

Lucy  Gardiner. 

Rebecca  Boylston. 

Francis  White. 
March,  1704/5.  — 

Peter  Boylston  and  Anne,  his  wife. 

Thomas  Gardner,  jun"".,  and  Mary, 
his  wife. 

Shubal  Seaver,  jun"".,  and  Abigail. 
his  wife. 

Robert  and  Sarah  Sharp. 


April,  1705.  — 

Dorothy  Weld. 

Abigail  Story. 
June,  1705.    Mary  Bacon. 
July,  1705.  — 

Mary  Aspinall. 

Mary  Stevens. 

Hannah  Stevens. 

Abigail  Stevens. 

Roger  Stainer  and  his  wife  Susanna. 
Feb.,  1705/6.  — 

Mrs.  Rebecca  Sewall. 

Mrs.  Anne  Dudley. 
March,  1706.  — 

Jacob  Bacon. 

Benjamin  Crafts,  blacksmith. 

Jarvis  Pike. 
May,  1706. 

Caleb  Stedman,  owner  of  Pew  No. 
35,  Third  Meeting  House. 

Hannah  Bowen,   wife    of     Isaac 
Bowen. 

Abiel  Bacon. 

Sarah  Bugbee. 

Caleb  Seaver  and  Hannah,  his  wife. 

Noah  Perrin  and  Patience,  his  wife. 

Elizabeth  White. 

Cornelius  Yoimgman. 
June,  1706.  — 

Amos  HiU,  negro. 

Simon  Gossan,  negro. 
July,  1706.  — 

Richard  Hall. 

Anne  Baker. 
Aug.,  1706.  — 

William  liczon. 

Thankfull  Lezon. 

Mary  Bugbee. 

Joanna  Bugbee. 
Sept.,  1706.  Mary  (Capen)  Williams, 
wife  of  Stephen  Williams,  junior. 
Oct.,  1706.    Deborah  Davis. 


CHURCH    MEMBERS 


129 


Dec,  1706.  — 

John  Payson  and  his   wife  Eliza- 
beth, see  Deacons. 

Samuel  Lion. 

Joanna  Lion. 
Feb.,  1706/7.     Samuel  White. 
May,  1707.    Margaret  Griggs. 
June,  1707.  — 

Grace  WiUiams,  dau.  of  Stephen 
Williams. 

Caleb  Gardiner. 
July,  1707.  — 

Sarah  Gardiner. 

Elizabeth  Wood. 
Sept.,  1707.    Abigail  Cole. 
April,  1708.  — 

Park  Williams. 

Joseph  Williams,  removed  to  Con- 
necticut. 
April  18,  1708.  — 

Josiah  Winchester  and  Sarah,  his 
wife. 

Esther  Alcock,  baptised  adult. 
May  2,  1708.  — 

John  Frost,  baptised  adult. 

Lydia  (Crafts)    Bedouna,  wife   of 
Thomas. 

Abigail  Williams. 
July,  1708.    Susanna  Whitney. 
Aug.,  1708,    Abigail  Harris. 
Oct.,  1708.  — 

Mary  Gardner,  jun'. 

Hannah  Scott,  baptised  adult. 
Feb.  20,  1708/9.  — 

Samuel  Stevens,  owner  of  Pew  No. 
11,  Third  Meeting  House. 

Hannah  Gore. 
March  20, 1708/9.  Benjamin  Eaton, 
owner  of  Pew  No.  10  in  gallery. 
Third  Meeting  House. 
April  17,  1709.    Deborah  Weld. 


May  29,  1709.  — 
Sarah  Weld. 
Patience  Holmes. 
June  12,  1709.    Mr.  Samuel  Sewall. 
June    26,  1709.     Jeremiah    Rogers, 

baptised  adult. 
July   10,    1709.    Timothy   Ruggles, 
H.  C.   1707,  taught  in  the  Free 
Schoole  in  1708  &  1709,  minis- 
ter in  Rochester,  Mass. 
Hannah  Ruggles. 
Patience  Ruggles. 
Aug.  7,  1709.  — 

John  Bowles,  H.  C.  1702,  taught 

in  the  Free  Schoole  in    1703-5, 

owner   of   Pew  No.   25,  Third 

Meeting  House. 

Lyddia  Bowles. 

Oct.,  1709.      James  Trusty,  negro 

man  baptised. 
March,  1710.    Sarah  Hartness. 
June,  1710.     Elisha  Johnson. 
July,  1710.  — 
Joseph  Adams,  baptised  adult. 
Mary  Adams,  baptised  adult. 
Sarah  Adams,  baptised  adult. 
Daniel  Adams,  baptised  adidt. 
Oct.  1,  1710.    Martha  Ruggles. 
Oct.  8,  1710.     Dorothy  Davis. 
Nov.  5,  1710.  — 
Ebenezer  Dorr. 
Mary  Dorr. 
Thomas  Graves. 
Dec,  1710.  — 

Samuel  Williams,  junior,  owner  of 
Pew    No.   10,  Ihird    Meeting 
House. 
Anne  Charter. 
Feb.  19,  1710/11. — 
Samuel  Davis. 
John  Bailey. 
Sarah  Williams. 
Feb.,  1710/11.    James  Shed,  farmer. 


130 


THE   SECOND    MEETING   HOUSE 


May,  1711.  — 

Eleazer  Aspinwall. 

Mary  Tucker. 

Mehittabel  Howard. 
June,  1711.     Sarah  Hartness. 
July,  1711.     Sarah  Ruggles. 
Oct.,  1711.— 

John  Totman. 

Caleb  Gardiner. 

Abiel  Gardiner. 
Nov.,  1711.  — 

Sarah  Pierpont. 

Esther  Alcock. 
Dec,  1711.    Elizabeth  Weld,  wife  of 

Joseph  Weld,  juni". 
March,  1712.— 
,    Thankfull  Holmes. 

Sarah  Holmes. 
April,  1712,     Lyddia  Harris. 
July,  1712,     Jacob  Chamberlain, 
Aug.  3,  1712.    Ebenezer  Wilhams, 
H.  C.  1709|  taught  in  the  Free 
Schoole    1709-12,   removed  to 
Conn. 
Nov.,  1712.  — 

Enoch  Farley. 

Mary  Holbrook. 
Dec,  1712.  — 

James  Grant. 

Hannah  Blake. 

Dan,   negro    servant     to      Capt. 
Ruggles. 
March   15,   1712/3.      Anne  White, 

wife  of  Samuel  White. 
April  27, 1713.    Ichabod  Woodward. 
May,  1713.    Abraham  Woodward. 
June,  1713.    Roger  Adams. 
July,  1713.  — 

George  Woodward. 

Nath'  Woodward. 
Aug.,  1713.  — 

Samuel  Gardner. 

Martha  Gardner. 


Sept.,  1713.  — 

Peter  Gardner. 

Mary  Gardner. 

Simeon  Buttler. 

Hannah  Buttler. 

Rebecca  Adams. 
May     9,    1714.      Robert     Stanton, 

H.  C.  1712. 
July,  1714.  — 

John  Wilson. 

Sarah  Wilson. 

John  Woods. 

Jemima  Woods. 

Richard  Cooms. 

Hepsibah  Cooms. 

James  Goddard. 

Mary  Goddard. 
Aug.  1,  1714.  Allice  Loverain. 
Oct.,  1714.  — 

Thomas  Jones. 

Elizabeth  Jones. 
Dec,  1714.    Abiel  Chamberlain. 
Feb.,  1714/15.  — 

John  Goddard,  owner  of  Pew  No. 
27,  Third  Meeting  House. 

Elias  Monk. 

Dorothy  Monk. 
April  9,  1715.  — 

Edward  Smnner,  owner   of  Pew 
No.  9,  Third  Meeting  House. 

Elizabeth  Sumner. 

Ehzabeth  Weld,  Jun'. 
June,  1715.  — 

Thomas  JCobbett. 

Benjamin  Payson. 

Mary  Payson. 
July,  1715.  — 

Thomas  Gardner. 

Joshua  Seaver. 
Oct.,  1715.  — 

Joseph  Ruggles. 

Hezekiah  Turner. 


CHURCH    MEMBERS 


131 


Nov.,  1715.     Martha  Williams,  dau* 

of  Isaac  Williams. 
Dec,  1715.     Hannah  Turner. 
Jan.,  1715/16.  — 

Edward  Clark. 

Sarah  Clark. 

Amariah  Winchester. 

Sarah  Winchester. 
Feb.,  1715/16.  — 

Joseph  Stevens. 

Margarett  Chandler. 

Ebenezer  Seaver,  owner  of  Pew 
No.  38,  Third  Meeting  House. 

Margarett  Seaver. 

Peter  Gardner. 

Elizabeth  Gardner. 
May,  1716.  — 

John  Winchester. 

Samuel  Healy. 

Mary  Williams. 

Ichabod  Griggs. 

Isaac  Leason. 

Aime  Leason. 
Sept.,  1716.  — 

Jacob  Howe. 

Elizabeth  Bernard. 
Feb.,  1716/17.  — 

Sarah  Gardner. 

Huldah  Lamb. 
Sept.   21,   1717.     Thomas    Walter, 

H.  C.  1713,  our  Pastor. 
Nov.,  1717.  — 

Ebenezer  Pierpont,  owner  of  Pew 
No.  33,  Third  Meeting  House. 
Taught  in  the  Free  Schoole 
1716-18  and  1726-31. 

John  Williams. 
Jime  22,  1718.    Hannah  Bowen. 
Aug.  17,  1718.  — 

Josiah  Holland. 

Sarah  Walter. 

Hannah  Walter. 

Joseph  Warren. 


Sept.,  1718.  — 

Stephen   Williams,  see   Deacons, 
Fourth  Meeting  House. 

Abraham  Howe. 

Jacob  Payson. 
Dec,  1718,    Joseph  Holland. 
April  5,  1719.  — 

Ebenezer  May,  owner  of   Pew 
No.  32,  Third  Meeting  House. 

Benjamin  West. 

Elizabeth  Holland. 
Oct.,  1719.  — 

Hannah  Seaver. 

Hannah  Meers. 

Elizabeth  Holbrook. 

Timothy  Parker. 

Mary  Parker. 

Titus  Jones. 
March,  1720.    Hannah  Norcross. 
April,  1720.  — 

Joseph  Mayo. 

Elizabeth  Mayo. 
July  30,  1720.  — 

Abigail  Greenwood. 

Samuel  Davenport. 
Aug.,  1720.  — 

Joseph  Craft. 

Susanna  Craft. 
Sept.,  1720.    Mary  Stevens. 
Nov.,  1720.    Margarett  Tucker. 
July,  1721.  — 

Anna  Pepper. 

Sarah  Lathgood. 

EUzabeth  Scutts. 
March,  1722.    Abigail  Cheney. 
Aug.  19, 1722.  Thomas  Weld,  Senior 
Sophister  H.  C.  1723.  Taught 
in  the  Free  Schoole  1723-26. 

Dec.  9,  1722.  — 
Ehzabeth  Shed. 
Elizabeth  Craft. 


132 


THE  SECOND    MEETING   HOUSE 


March  3,    1722/3.        Abijah  Weld, 

Senior  Sophister  H.  C.  1723. 
March  17,  1722/3.     Susanna  Gore. 
AprU  7,  1723.  — 

Joshua  Lamb,  owner  of  Pew  No. 

3,  Third  Meeting  House. 
Susanna  Lamb. 
April  21, 1723.    Rebecca  Davenport. 
Aug.,  1723.     Eunice  Ruggles. 
Oct.,  1723.    Abigail  Table. 
Nov.,  1723.  — 
Sarah  Payson. 

William   Bosson,  H.  C.  1723.      A 
preacher,    lived    in      Roxbury. 
Chaplain    of     Castle    William 
many  years.  Died  1748.   Owner 
of  Pew  No.  5  in  Gallery,  Third 
Meeting  House. 
Dec,  1723.     Elizabeth  Pierpont. 
Jan.,  1723/4.  — 
Katharine  Meers. 
John  Craft. 
Elizabeth  Craft. 
Feb.,  1723/4.  — 

John  Cheny,  farmer. 
Mary  Cheny. 
March,  1724.     Sarah  Davis. 
March  29,  1724.      Joseph  Warren, 
jr.,  son  of  Joseph  and  Deborah 
(Wilhams)  Warren,  bom    Feb. 
2,      1696/7    in     Roxbury,     m. 
Mary  Stevens.     He  was   killed 
by  falling  from  a  ladder   as   he 
was  gathering    apples  Oct.  23, 
1775.      He  was  an   highly    re- 
spected farmer  and  an  exemp- 
lary   christian.       He   was     the 
father    of   Dr.  Joseph  Warren, 
the  Patriot.    Precinct  Treasurer 
from  March  20,  1737/8  to  Nov. 
12,  1755.     Owner  of  Pew  No.  6, 
Third  Meeting  House. 
April,  1724.     John  Huit. 


May,  1724.  Eleazer  Williams,  m. 
Sarah  Tileston.  He  served  as 
Hogreave,  Highway  Surveyor, 
Auditor,  Selectman,  Represent- 
ative, Tax  Collector.  Owner  of 
Pew  No.  21,  Third  Meeting 
House. 
Nov.  8,  1724.  Elizabeth  Bowen. 
July,  1725.  — 

Daniel  Williams. 
Hannah  Williams. 
July  25,  1725.    Abigail  Bugbee. 
Dec.  5,  1725.   John  Sumner,  H.  C. 

1723. 
Jan.  17,  1725/6.  — 

Samuel  Crafts,  farmer  in  Muddy 

River  and  housewright. 
Mehittabel  Crafts,  wife  of  Samuel. 
Jan.  30,  1725/6.  — 
Edmund  Weld. 
Clemence  Weld. 
March  27,  1726.     Dorothy  Dorr. 
April  24,  1726.     Elizabeth  Pierpont. 
May  8,  1726.     Hannah  Mather. 
Jan.,  1726/7.     Sarah  Tileston. 
June  3,  1727.  — 
Timothy  Parker. 
John  Hely. 
Hannah  Hely. 
July,  1727.  — 
Phillip  Bacon. 
Patience  Bacon. 
Sept.  3,  1727.  — 

Ebenezer   Dorr,    owner    of    Pew 
No.  36,  Third  Meeting  House. 
Mary  Dorr. 
Sept.  10,  1727.    Mehittabel  Meers. 
Oct.,  1727.     John  Lovel. 
Oct.  9,  1727.    Mary  Thompson. 
Oct.  15,  1727.  — 
Isaac  Curtis,  owner  of  Pew  No. 

28,  Third  Meeting  House. 
Mehittabell  Curtis. 


CHURCH    MEMBERS 


133 


Nov.,  1727.    Rebecca  Smith. 
Nov.  12,  1727.     Elizabeth  Crafts. 
Dec.  10,  1727.     Ebenezer  Tucker. 
Dec.  24,  1727.  — 

Ebenezer  Gore. 

Samuel  Gore,  owner  of  Pew  No. 
11  in  gallery.  Third  Meeting 
House. 

Mary  Gore. 

Mary  Mayo. 
Jan.  7,  1727/8.  — 

Ebenezer  Warren,  owner  of  Pew 
No.  37,  Third  Meeting  House. 

James  Meers,  owner  of  Pew  No. 
39,  Third  Meeting  House. 

Hannah  Ciu-tis. 

Abigail  May. 

Waitstill  Payson. 
Jan.  14,  1727/8.  — 
Andrew  Bordman. 
Deborah  Williams. 
Sarah  Bordman. 
Jan.  21,  1727/8.  — 

Joanna  West. 

Mary  Sever. 

Susanna  Warren. 
Jan.  28,  1727/8.  — 

Mary  Bowles. 

Elizabeth  Payne. 
Feb.  4,  1727/8.  — 

Sarah  Lathbridge. 

Bethiah  Rice. 
Feb.  11,  1727/8.    Mercy  Eaton. 
Feb.  18,  1727/8.  — 

Jonathan  Craft,  weaver. 

Thankful  Craft. 

Rachel  Davis. 
Feb.  25,  1727/8.  — 

Joanna  Rugles. 

Anna  Bayley. 
March  3,  1727/8.  — 

Anne  Pierpont. 

Joanna  Stevens. 


Susanna  Stevens. 

Elizabeth  Payson. 

Mary  Harkness. 

Martha  Newel. 

Mary  Cheney. 

Elizabeth  Hooper. 
March  17,  1727/8.    Paul  Davis. 
March  24,  1727/8.  — 

Mary  Parker. 

Sarah  Williams. 
March  31,  1728.  — 

John  Prentice.  • 

Elizabeth  George. 

Anne  Wainwright. 
April  14,  1728.  — 

Peleg  Heath,  H.  C.  1724. 

Elizabeth  Hinks. 
April  21,  1728.     Sarah  Craft. 
May  19,  1728.  — 

Mary  Gore. 

Sarah  Pierpont. 
May  26,  1728.     Jemimah  Woods. 
June  23,  1728.  — 

Mary  Bosson. 

Sarah  Seaver. 
July  21,  1728.     Zipporah  Towers. 
July  28,  1728.  — 

Francis  Richey. 

Mary  Richey. 
Oct.  13,  1728.  — 

Mary  Hall. 

Mehittabel  May. 
Oct.  20,  1728.    Elizabeth  Tucker. 
Nov.  10,  1728.  — 

Dorothy  Williams. 

Margaret  Seaver. 

Rebecca  Macthaden. 
Jan.  5,  1728/9.     Experience  Cabot. 
Feb.  16,  1728/9.     Nathaniel  Newel, 

H.  C.  1727. 
March  8,  1729/30.     Samuel  Curtis 

from  First  Chiu-ch  in  Boston. 
April  12,  1730.    Abigail  Hewes. 


134 


THE   SECOND    MEETING   HOUSE 


June  21,  1730.  — 

John  Searle. 

Mary  Searle. 
Aug.  2,  1730.    Abigail  Green. 
Sept.  13,  1730.     Sarah  Mayo. 
Oct.    4,    1730.     Ebenezer    Cheney, 

large  landholder,    owner   of  Pew 

No.  8,  Third  Meeting  House. 
Dec.  12,  1730.     Margaret  Searle. 
May  2,  1731.     Joseph  Woods. 
July  26,  1731.     Sarah  Scott. 
Aug.  15,  1731.  — 

Samuel  Bayley. 

Anna  Bayley. 
July  22,  1731.  — 

Ebenezer   Davis,    owner  of   Pew 
No.  14,  Third  Meeting  House. 

Sarah  Davis,  wife  of  Ebenezer 
Oct.  3,  1731.  — 

Thomas  Seaver. 

Ehzabeth  Seaver. 
Jan.  9,  1731/2.     Rebecca  Abbot. 
April  2,  1732     Steven  Choate. 
April  30,  1732.  — 

John  Ruggles,  owner  of  Pew  No. 
15,  Third  Meeting  House. 

Elizabeth  Ruggles. 
May  14,  1732.     Mary  Stevens. 
June  18,  1732.     James  Tucker. 
Aug.  20,  1732.     Anna  Heath. 
Dec.  3,    1732.     Joseph   Heath,  dis- 
missed   from    North    Yarmouth, 

owner    of    Pew    No.    22,    Third 

Meeting  House. 
Dec.  31,    1732.     Nathaniel   Walter, 

H.  C.  1729. 
May  27,  1733.     Barnabas  Wilson. 
July  1,  1783.  — 

Joseph  Gardiner. 

Mary  Gardiner. 
Aug.  13,  1733.  — 

Joseph  Williams,   son   of    Joseph 
and  Williams,  was  born 


April  10,  1708,  in  Roxbury. 
He  married  (1)  Martha  Howell, 
(2)  Hannah  Dudley.  He  died 
May  26,  1798,  in  Roxbury.  His 
life  was  one  of  great  activity, 
devoted  to  the  service  of  the 
town  and  his  fellow  citizens.  No 
name  occurs  oftener  in  the 
town  records  than  his.  For 
many  years  Selectman.  Fre- 
quently moderator  of  town  meet- 
ings and  active  on  committees. 
A  member  of  the  General 
Court.  He  won  distinction  in 
the  French  and  Indian  Wars 
and  in  the  Revolution,  whence 
his  title  of  Colonel.  He  was 
perhaps  one  of  the  largest  land- 
holders in  Roxbiu-y,  his  estate 
extending  on  both  sides  of  Centre 
St.,  from  Cedar  St.  to  Hog 
Bridge.  He  was  elected  Pre- 
cinct Clerk  of  the  Church  March 
12,  1738/9,  and  served  forty- 
seven  years.  He  was  a  member 
of  the  Precinct  Committee  from 
March  10,  1740/1  to  1788.  He 
was  owner  of  Pew  No.  13,  Third 
Meeting  House. 

Martha  Williams,  wife  of  Joseph. 
Aug.  20,  1733.  — 

Col.  Aaron  Davis,  son  of  Ebenezer 
and  Hannah  (White)  Davis,  born 
in  Roxbury  April  26,  1709,  died 
June  11,  1777,  m.  Mary  Perrin 
of  Roxbury.  Farmer  in  West 
Roxbury.  Owned  land  in  Cum- 
berland Co.,  Maine.  He  was 
chosen  to  the  various  offices  of 
town  government  and  was  se- 
lectman for  many  years.  Repre- 
sentative in  the  first  Provincial 
Congress  convened  at  Concord 


CHURCH    MEMBERS 


135 


Oct.  5,  1774.     Capt.  of  the  2nd 
Company  of  Minute  men  raised 
in  the  First  Parish.     Represent- 
ative   in     the     2nd    Provincial 
Congress  and    also    in  the  3rd, 
and    instructed   "That   if    the 
Honorable  Congress  should  for 
the  safety  of  the  Colonies  declare 
them  independent  of  the  King- 
dom   of  Great  Britain  they  the 
said    inhabitants  will    solemnly 
engage  to  support  them   in  the 
measure." 
Mary  Davis,  vdfe  of  Aaron. 
Aug.  26,  1733.  — 
Peter  Seaver. 
Hannah  Seaver. 
Oct.  11,  1733.  — 
Moses  Davis. 
Rebecca  Davis. 
Oct.  19,  1733.  — 
Thomas  Cole. 
Sarah  Cole. 
March  3,  1733/4.    Abigail  Table. 
March  10,  1733/4.  — 
Daniel  Bugbee. 
Abigail  Bugbee. 
Nov.  10,  1734.  — 
Edward  Bilbo. 
Elizabeth  Bilbo. 
Richard  Robertson. 
Dec,  1734.     Sarah  Ames. 
Dec.  16,  1734.     John  Bowles,  junior. 
March  23,  1735.  — 
Thomas  Baker. 
Hannah  Baker. 
April  12,  1735.    Timothy  Stevens. 
AprU  28,  1735.  — 
Shubael  Seaver. 
Mary  Seaver,  wife  of  Shubael. 
Nov,  16,  1735.    Robert  Loveren. 
Feb.  7,  1735/6.  — 
Benjamin  Eaton. 


Sarah  Eaton. 
May  2,  1736.  — 
Ebenezer  Payson. 
Sarah  Payson. 
May  9,  1736.  — 

Ebenezer    Crafts,    see    Deacons, 

Fourth  Meeting  House. 
Susanna  Crafts,  wife  of  Ebenezer. 
June  6, 1736.    Samuel  Griggs,  owner 
of  Pew  No.    40,   Third  Meeting 
House. 
July  4,  1736.  — 
Debora  Warren. 
Hannah  Warren. 
Nov.  17,  1736.  — 
Eleazer  May. 
Dorothy  May. 
Feb.  6,  1736/7.    Caleb  Richardson. 
May  1,  1737.     Mary  WilHams. 
May  29,  1737.     Ebenezer  Dorr. 
Sept.,  1737.     Haimah  Goald. 
Sept.  19,  1737.  — 

Noah  Perrin,  son  of   Noah    and 
Patience   (Walker)  Perrin,  born 
in    Roxbury    Jan.    18,   1708/9, 
died  there   Apr.    4,    1788,    m. 
Margeret  Heley.     He  was  held 
in  high  esteem    by    his    fellow 
townsmen,      being      repeatedly 
chosen  to  fill  important  offices. 
He  was  town  treasurer  for  29 
years. 
Mary  Perrin. 
Dec.  11,  1737.  —  • 
Increase  Sumner. 
Mary  Sumner. 
Jan.  8,  1737/8.    Abigail  Stevens. 
Jan.  19,  1737/8.     Abigail  George. 
April  16,  1738.    Elizabeth  Williams. 
Aug.  13,  1738.    Bethiah  Parker. 
Sept  17,  1738. — 
Rebecca  Davis. 
Mary  Woods. 


136 


THE   SECOND    MEETING   HOUSE 


Oct.    23,     1738.     John     Holbrook, 
owner   of  Pew  No.  12,   Third 
Meeting  House. 
Jan.  6,  1738/9.  — 

Philhp  Curtis,  H.  C.  1738. 

Mary  Curtis. 
Feb.  25,  1738/9.     Sarah  Stevens. 
Apr.  15,  1739.     Susanna  Crafts. 
May  20,  1739.     Joanna  West. 
May  27,  1739.  — 

Benjamin  Draper. 

Mary  Draper. 
June  24, 1739.    Bethiah  Scarborough. 
Jan.  27,  1739/40.    Rebecca  Pendle, 

baptised  adult. 
March  16,  1739/40.  — 

Hopestill  Monk. 

Sarah  Manser,  baptised  adult. 
March  30,  1740.  — 

Lydia  Manser,  baptised  adult. 

Susanna  Manser,  baptised  adult. 
May  11,  1740.  — 

Robert  Pierpont,  dismissed  to  Old 


South  Church,  Boston,  Jan.  6, 
1771. 
Hannah  Pierpont. 
Deborah  Searle. 
Sept.  7,  1740.  — 
Ambrose  Searle. 
Elizabeth  Searle. 
Oct..  1740.     Rebecca  Choate. 
May  3,  1741.     Maria  Walter. 
May  17,  1741.     Mary  George. 
July  19,  1741.  — 

Ralph  Holbrook,   owner   of   Pew 

No.  4,  Third  Meeting  House. 
John  Salmon. 
Dorothy  Holbrook. 
July    27,     1741.     Bethiah   Ramsel, 

baptised  adult. 
Aug.  14,  1741.  Samuel  Heath,  owner 
of  Pew  No.  20,  Third  Meeting 
House. 
Aug.  30,  1741.  — 

James  Shed,  owner  of  Pew  No. 

31,  Tliird  Meeting  House. 
Mary  Shed. 


1741-1744 


PASTOR 
Rev.  Mr.  Nehemiah  Walter 

DEACONS 
Edward  Ruggles  Samuel  Gridlet 

PRECINCT  CLERK 
Joseph  Williams,  elected  Feb.  20,  1738/9. 

PRECINCT  TREASURER 
Joseph  Warren,  elected  March  20,  1737/8. 

PRECINCT  COMI^nTTEES 

Elected  March  24,  1741/2 

Ebenezer   Pierpont 
Capt.  Joseph  Ruggles  Joseph  Williams 

Elected  March  21,  1742/3 

Ebenezer  Pierpont 
Joseph    Williams  Lt.   Samuel  Williams 


137 


^r<<i'''^-'-i 


, .  ,,'.?><(,,/,... 


THE   THIRD   MEETING   HOUSE 


The  New  Meeting  House  was  raised  June  25  &  26,  1740, 
according  to  the  Diary  of  Paul  Dudley,  and  it  was  completed 
during  the  summer  of  1741,  as,  at  the  first  meeting  held  in  it 
Aug.  31,  1741,  Mr.  Ebenezer  Newell,  Mr.  Shubal  Sever,  Mr. 
Daniel  Bugbee,  Capt.  Joseph  Ruggles  and  Mr.  John  Ruggles 
were  chosen  a  committee  to  seat  the  said  meeting  house,  and 
at  the  same  meeting  it  was  proposed  that  the  westerly  comer 
of  the  meeting  house  be  a  place  provided  for  the  negroes  to 
set  in  so  as  not  to  intrude  on  the  pews  in  the  said  West 
Galleries. 

The  owners  of  the  Pews  in  the  New  Meeting  House  were 

to  be  as  follows: 

Cost 
£   s.  d. 
Pew  No.    1.  The  Ministry     

2.  Hon.  Paul  Dudley,  Esq 49    S  4 

3.  Col.  Joshua  Lamb 49    3  4 

4.  Ralph  Holbrook 28    5  5 

5.  Jonathan  Seaver 28    55 

6.  Joseph  Warren SO    77 

7.  John  Williams 36  17  6 

8.  Ebenezer  Cheaney 28    5  5 

9.  Edward  Sumner 30    7  7 

10.  Lft.  Samuel  Williams 36  17  6 

11.  Capt.  Samuel  Stevens 36  17  6 

12.  Ensign  John  Holbrook 36  17  6 

13.  Joseph  Williams 30  7  7 

14.  Ebenezer  Davis      80  7  7 

15.  John  Ruggles 28  5  5 

16.  Capt.  John  Richardson 24  11  8 

17.  Capt.  Joseph  Ruggles 24  11  8 

18.  Ebenezer  Craft 28  5  5 

139 


140  THE   THIRD    MEETING   HOUSE 

cost. 
£  s.  d. 

Pew  No.  19.  Mrs.  Dorothy  Williams >.    .  24  11  8 

20.  Lt.  Samuel  Heath      36  17  6 

21.  Eleazer  Williams 49    3  4 

22.  Col.  Joseph  Heath 49    3  4 

23.  Noah  Perrin 22     2  6 

24.  Nathaniel  Wilhams 36  17  6 

25.  John  Bowles 22     2  6 

26.  Stephen  Williams,  afterwards  Richard  Gardner  .    .  18    8  9 

27.  Capt.  John  Goddard 24  11  8 

28.  lit.  Isaac  Curtis 28    5  5 

29.  John  Williams,  Jr 19  13  4 

30.  Jonathan  Williams 18     8  9 

31.  James  Shead 30     7  7 

32.  Ensign  Ebenezer  May 22     2  6 

33.  Mr.  Ebenezer  Pierpont 19  13  4 

34.  Dea.  Edward  Ruggles 18     8  9 

35.  Lft.  Caleb  Steadman 30    7  7 

36.  Capt.  Ebenezer  Dorr 22     2  6 

37.  Ebenezer  Warren 19  13  4 

38.  Ebenezer  Seaver 19  13  4 

39.  James  Mears 19  13  4 

40.  Samuel  Griggs 19  13  4 

And  in  the  Gallery 
Pew  No.    1.  Not  drawn 

2.  Not  drawn 

3.  Not  drawn 

4.  Not  drawn 

5.  William  Bosson      8    00 

6.  Not  drawn 

7.  Jno.  W'oods 12    0  0 

8.  Dea.  Samuel  Gridley 12    0  0 

9.  Edward  Dorr 12     0  0 

10.  Benjamin  Eaton 12    0  0 

11.  Samuel  Gore 12    0  0 

12.  Jeams  Jervis 12     0  0 

For  as  much  as  many  of  the  people  were  of  the  opinion 
that  neither  their  giving  Bond  for  the  price  of  their  pews  nor 
being  put  into  present  possession  of  them  was  such  an  ample 


THE   THIRD   MEETING   HOUSE  141 

and  good  title  as  they  ought  to  have,  Therefore  in  considera- 
tion of  the  power  given  the  committee  chosen  in  1736  to  dis- 
pose of  the  Pews  and  to  give  a  good  title  to  them  (subject  to 
the  exceptions  and  restraints  made  and  provided  in  by 
another  vote  of  the  Precinct  at  the  same  meeting)  and  in  con- 
sideration also  of  the  several  sums  of  money  for  which  they 
had  given  their  bonds,  the  remainder  of  this  committee 
consisting  of  Joseph  Heath,  Joshua  Lamb,  Samuel  Stevens, 
Shubal  Seaver,  Ebenezer  Newell,  Samuel  Williams,  James 
Shead,  Eleazer  Williams,  Ebenezer  Pierpont,  Joseph  Rug- 
gles,  John  Ruggles  did  on  Dec.  29,  1741,  for  themselves  in 
their  said  capacity  and  in  the  name  and  behalf  of  the  Precinct 
assign,  deliver,  convey,  and  confirm  to  each  and  every  of 
the  said  Persons  the  Respective  pew  now  in  his  Possession 
as  the  same  is  numbered  and  annexed  to  his  name  in  the 
written  list  of  schedule  to  be  to  him  his  heirs  and  assigns 
(except  as  above)  to  have  and  to  hold,  possess,  occupy  and 
enjoy  the  same  without  any  manner  of  lett  or  moUestation 
forever. 

The  old  meeting  house  not  having  been  torn  do^vn  in  Feb., 
1741/2,  it  was  proposed  to  sell  it,  and  during  that  year  (1742) 
it  was  sold  for  £100. 

As  this  the  Third  Meeting  House  proved  to  be  not  quite 
satisfactory  in  some  respects,  just  what  is  not  mentioned, 
and  as  the  carpenters  Messrs.  Dickson,  Pierpont  and  Baker 
had  sustained  some  loss  by  building  it,  the  £100  which  the 
old  meeting  house  brought  was  given  to  these  carpenters. 

Frequent  attempts  had  been  made  to,  settle  a  colleague 
minister  but  without  avail  and  all  the  precinct  would  consent 
to  do  was  to  procure  help  for  Mr.  Walter. 

In  1743  the  necessary  expenses  were  as  follows :  —  Rev. 
Nehemiah  Walter  salary,  £100;  as  a  gift,  £60;  cutting  and 
carting  firewood  for  Mr.   Walter,   £30;  Ringing  bell  and 


142 


THE  THIRD    MEETING   HOUSE 


sweeping,  £10;  for  help  for  Mr.  Walter,  &c.,  £150;  Treas- 
urer's salary,  £5. 

On  the  Lord's  day,  Feb.  26,  1743/4,  soon  after  Divine 
service  in  the  afternoon,  a  fire  broke  out  in  this  Meeting 
House  by  which  this  large  and  costly  building  was  burnt  to 
the  ground.  It  occurred  as  'twas  thought  by  a  stove  acci- 
dentally upset  with  fire  in  it  unperceived  which  was  left  in  a 
Pew  after  the  assembly  was  dismissed. 

The  congregation  worshipped  in  the  Brick  School  House 
until  a  new  meeting  house  was  built. 

CHURCH  MEMBERS 


Oct.  7,  1741.  — 

Abigail  Dorr. 

Sarah  Dorr. 
Jan.  24,  1742.     Lucy  Winthrop. 
Jan.  31,  1742.    Samuel  Williams. 
Feb.  14,  1742.  — 

Jeffrey,  1 

Bristol,  [  negroes,  baptised. 

Guinea,  J 
March  21,  1742.  — 

Ebenezer  Eaton. 

Susanna  Woods. 
April  18,  1742.  — 

Mary  Draper. 

Abigail  Parker. 
May  2,  1742.     Joseph  Curtis. 
May  30,  1742.  — 

James  Pierpont. 

Samuel  May. 

Abigail  Robinson. 
June  13,  1742.      Nathaniel  Sumner, 

H.  C.  1739. 
July  11,  1742.    Robert  Lee. 


Aug.  15,  1742.     Sarah  Sumner. 
Sept.  26,  1742.     Samuel  Sumner. 
Oct.  2,  1742.     Sarah  Cole. 
Nov.  1,  1742.  — 

Joanna  Ruggles. 

EUzabeth  Ruggles. 

Sarah  Payson. 
Nov.  14,  1742.  — 

Nathaniel  Felton,  constable. 

Hannah  Felton. 
Jan.   16,    1743.     John    Giles,   from 

Old    South   Church,  Boston. 
Jan.  23,  1743.     PhiUis,  a  negro,  bap- 
tised. 
March  6,  1742/3.  — 

Sarah  Williams. 

Mary  Williams. 
May  15.  1743.     Priscilla  Gore. 
June  26,  1743.     Elizabeth  Crafts. 
July  10,  1743.     Ebenezer  Newel. 
July  24,  1743.     Benjamin  Curtis. 
Sept.  18,  1743.     Susan  Perrin. 


CHURCH    MEMBERS 


143 


ADMITTED  IN  BRICK  SCHOOL  HOUSE. 


April  1,  1744.  — 

Abraham  Woodward. 

Sarah  Woodward. 
June  3,  1744.  — 

Thomas  Grigs. 

Margaret  Grigs. 

Jeremiah  Parker. 

Mary  Parker. 
Aug.  26,  1744.  — 

Jeremy  Williams. 

Catharine  WUliams. 
Sept.  2,  1744.  — 

Samuel  Clark. 

Mary  Clark. 


Nov.  25,  1744.  — 

Jacob  Reeves. 

Abigail  Reeves. 
Jan.  13,  1745.     Samuel  Healey. 
Jan.  27,  1745.     Ehzabeth  Weld. 
March  3,  1745.     Edward  Ruggles. 
April  7,  1745.     Martha  Perrin. 
May,  1745.      Guinea,  negro  servant, 

maid  to  Judge  Dudley. 
May  31,  1745.     Edward  Dorr. 
July  28,  1745.     Ebenezer  Bodoono. 
Sept.  15,  1745.     Elizabeth  Heath. 
Oct.  27,  1745.     Abigail  Sumner. 
Dec.  15,  1745.     Ebenezer  Gore. 
May   27,    1746.      Wilham    Bosson, 
junior. 


1744-1803 


PASTORS 


Rev.  Mr.  Nehemiah  Walter 
Rev.  Mr.  Oliver  Peabody 
Rev.  Mr.  Amos  Adams 
Rev.  Dr.  Eliphalet  Porter 

DEACONS 

Edward  Ruggles 
Samuel  Gridley 

Stephen  Williams 

Ebenezer  Craft 

William  Gridley 
Samuel  Sumner 

David  Weld 

Nehemiah  Munroe 

Joshua  Felton 

PRECINCT  CLERK 
Joseph  Williams,  elected  March  12,  1738/9 

PARISH  CLERKS 

Title  changed  April  23,  1788 

Thomas  Clarke,  elected  April  23,  1788 
Nathaniel  Ruggles,  elected  April  29,  1793 
145 


146  THE   FOURTH    MEETING   HOUSE 


PRECINCT  TREASURERS 

Joseph  Warren,  elected  March  20,  1737/8 
William  Heath,  elected  Nov.  12,  1755 
Deacon  Samuel  Gridley,  elected  June  4,  1762 
Deacon  William  Gridley,  elected  March  29,  1774 
Joseph  Ruggles,  elected  April  14,  1783 

PARISH  TREASURER 

Title  changed  April  23,  1788 

Joseph  Ruggles,  elected  April  23,  1788 

PRECmCT  COlVCVnTTEES 

Elected  March  21,  1743/4 

Ebenezer  Pierpont 
Samuel  Williams  Joseph  Williams 

Elected  March  20,  1748/9 

Ebenezer  Pierpont 

Joseph  Williams  Ebenezer  Newell 

Elected  March  21,  1749/50 

John  Richardson 

Joseph  Williams  Noah  Perrin,  Jr. 

Elected  March  20,  1750/1 

Joseph  Williams 

Noah  Perrin,  Jr.  Ebenezer  Newell 

Elected  March  30,  1757 

Joseph  Williams 
Eleazer  Williams  Ebenezer  Pierpont 

Elected  March  28,  1758 

Joseph  Williams 
Benjamin  Felton  Ebenezer  Newell 


THE   FOURTH    MEETING   HOUSE  147 

Elected  March  27,  1759 

Joseph  Williams 
Ebenezer  Newell  Nathaniel  Felton 

Elected  March  30,  1768 

Joseph  Williams 
Nathaniel  Felton  William  Heath 

Elected  March  27,  1771 

Joseph  Williams 
Nathaniel  Felton  Aaron  Davis 

Elected  April  8,  1776 

Joseph  Williams 

Nathaniel  Ruggles  Increase  Sumner 

Elected  April  8.  1778 

Joseph  Williams 

Increase  Sumner  William  Bowman 

Elected  April  14,  1783 

Col.  Joseph  Williams 

Noah  Perrin  Capt.  Joseph  Williams 

Elected  April  12,  1784 

Noah  Perrin 
Col.  Joseph  Williams  Thomas  Clarke 


PARISH  COMMITTEES 

Title  changed  April  23,  1788 

Elected  April  23,  1788 

Thomas  Clarke 

Joseph  Ruggles  Ralph  Smith 

Elected  April  29,  1793 
Joseph  Ruggles 
Deacon  Nehemiah  Munroe         John  Curtis 


148 


THE    FOURTH    MEETING   HOUSE 


Elected  Nov.  11,  1793 

Joseph  Ruggles 
Deacon  Nehemiah  Munroe    Moses  Davis  Rice  Curtis 

Elected  July  10,  1794 

Joseph  Ruggles 

Deacon  Nehemiah  Munroe     Nathaniel  Ruggles 


SEXTONS 


Deacon  Samuel  Gridley 

William  Blaney 

Aaron  Blaney 

Samuel  Croxford 

Stephen  Mills 

Thomas  Nolen,  Jr. 

John  Maxfield 

Edmund  Grindall  Weld 

Edward  Turner  served 


elected  March  20,  1744/5 
served  from  1761  to  1768 
served  from  1769  to  1774 
served  from  1775  to  1782 
served  from  1782  to  1784 
served  from  1784  to  1786 
served  from  1787  to  1792 
served  from  1793  to  1795 
from  Feb.  27,  1796  to  1804 


THE   FOURTH    MEETING   HOUSE 


The  Third  Meeting  House  was  destroyed  by  fire  Feb.  26^^, 
1743/4,  and  a  meeting  of  the  precinct  or  parish  was  held 
March  22,  1743/4,  to  see  what  was  to  be  done.  At  this 
meeting  it  was  voted  that  Mr.  John  Walley  with  the  two 
Deacons  (Edward  Ruggles  and  Samuel  Gridley)  be  a  com- 
mittee chosen  to  wait  on  our  Reverend  Pastor  Mr.  Nehemiah 
Walter  and  under  his  wise  Direction  to  proceed  and  apply 
to  such  of  the  neighboring  ministers  as  may  be  thought  best 
that  they  would  lay  before  the  several  Congregations  of 
there  Ryspective  Charges  the  Difficult  Sircumstances  of  the 
precinct  under  the  late  a^'full  Providence  (by  fire)  in  order 
to  obtain  such  help  and  Relief  from  them,  as  they  shall  in 
there  Goodness  think  fit  to  Grant  us,  and  also  that  they 
(our  precinct)  proceed  with  all  Convenient  speed  to  build  a 
new  meeting  house  and  that  they  would  build  said  meeting 
House  on  the  Spot  where  our  late  New  meeting  House  stood 
and  of  the  same  Dimentions  as  our  late  meeting  House  and 
have  the  Same  Number  of  windows  as  was  in  our  late  meet- 
ing house  but  the  Glass  be  7  by  9.  In  Case  Good  London 
Crown  can  be  procured  of  such  Dementions.  Also  there 
be  the  same  Number  of  Pews  on  the  floor  and  of  the  same 
Dementions  and  the  same  Number  of  pews  in  the  Gallerie 
as  in  our  late  New  Meeting  house. 

For  building  the  New  Meeting  House  there  was  raised: 

£      s.    d. 

On  the  Pews  in  1744 1500  00    0 

Tax  on  the  inhabitants  in  1744 976  17     8 

Tax  on  the  inhabitants  in  1745 494  19    0 

2971  16    8 
149 


150  THE   FOURTH    MEETING   HOUSE 

and  by  sundry  gifts  as  follows: 

£     8.  d. 

The  Hon.  Paul  Dudley,  Esq 120    9  10 

William  Bowdoin,  Esq 20    0    0 

Josiah  Willard,  Esq 600 

Capt.  Joshua  Loring 5     00 

Decon  Stone  of  Newton 200 

The  Town  of  Milton 17    4    0 

The  old  Parrish  at  Dedham      12    0    7 

3154  11     1 
Sundry  abatements  to  poor  persons 83  11    8 

3070  19    5 
Cost  of  building  the  New  Meeting  House 2905  17  10 

The  Remains  are 165     1     7 

which  were  then  in  the  hands  of 

£  s.  d. 

Mr.  Constable  Griggs 145  5  0 

Mr.  William  Cheney 12  0  0 

Mr   Sam'l  Gore 10  6  8 


The  aoove  was  submitted  by  the  Committee  chosen  to 
build  the  New  Meeting  House  April  15,  1746. 

The  necessary  aid  having  been  received,  the  Fourth  Meet- 
ing House  was  completed  in  1746  upon  the  same  plan  as  its 
predecessor,  the  meetings  having  been  held  meanwhile  in 
the  brick  school  house. 

Judge  Paul  Dudley  provided  a  handsome  porch.  Col. 
Joseph  Heath  gave  a  New  Church  Clock  or  Time  Peace. 

The  main  entrance  of  this  house,  in  front  of  which  was  a 
large  flat  circular  stone,  faced  the  south,  and  was  in  the  cen- 
tre of  the  building.  The  tower  and  belfry  were  as  at  present, 
the  gallery  entrance  being  also  there.  In  addition  to  the 
belfry  a  spire  and  vane  were  erected.  The  pulpit  was  on 
the  northerly  side.  There  were  the  same  number  of  pews  on 
the  floor  and  of  the  same  Dementions  as  were  in  the  previous 


THE   FOURTH    MEETING   HOUSE  151 

building  and  also  the  same  number  in  the  galleries.  Some 
of  the  pews  were  square,  and  the  seats  so  made  as  to  fold  up 
when  the  people  stood  up  at  prayer,  at  the  close  of  which 
they  would  come  down  with  a  clatter,  fun  for  the  boys,  who 
thus  responded  to  the  amen. 

In  front,  the  place  of  honor,  were  two  body  pews  (so  called) 
assigned  to  strangers  and  the  poor  of  the  parish. 

The  women's  gallery  was  partitioned  from  the  men's  in  a 
parellel  line  with  the  front  gallery  fore  seat.  The  hinder- 
most  seat  in  the  front  gallery  was  made  into  a  pew  and 
purchased  by  the  following  young  men  under  the  same 
regulations  with  the  Proprietors  of  the  other  pews:  —  James 
Pierpont,  John  Richardson,  Junr,  John  Gore  Jr.,  Paul  Gore, 
Edwd.  Preston,  Eb.  Pierpont,  Jun^,  Sam'  May,  Daniel 
Williams,  Saml.  Williams,  Jun^".,  Edw^  Ruggles  Jun"",  Jo^ 
Curtis,  Daniel  Seaver,  Sami  Weld,  Benj.  Sumner,  Benj. 
Curtis,  Saml  Gridley  Jun^.,  and  the  charge  of  building  said 
Pew  was  the  Purchase  Price. 

March  20,  1744/5,  Deacon  Samuel  Gridley  was  chosen  to 
have  care  of  the  meeting  house. 

The  precinct  allowed  Joseph  Weld,  son  of  Edmond  Weld, 
sum  consideration  for  Ringing  the  School  bell  on  Sabbath 
Days  for  the  Benefit  of  the  precinct  the  year  past  and  pro- 
posed the  said  Joseph  go  about  from  Place  to  place  and  collect 
as  persons  may  be  disposed  to  give. 

In  Aug.,  1749,  the  precinct  chose  a  committee  consisting  of 
Capt.  Eleaz.  Williams,  Capt.  Joseph  Williams  and  Mr. 
Ebenezer  Pierpont  to  wait  on  their  Rev.  aged  Pastor  and  to 
desire  him  to  lay  before  the  church  the  desire  of  the  precinct 
to  have  a  suitable  orthodox  minister  called  and  settled  as  a 
colleague  with  Mr.  Walter.  In  the  following  March  the 
Church  made  choice  of  Mr.  Oliver  Peabody,  who  had  been 
settled  over  the  little    missionary  church  in    Natick,  as    a 


152  THE   FOURTH   MEETING   HOUSE 

Colleague  minister  with  their  Rev^.  aged  Pastor,  but  the 
congregation  did  not  at  once  concur  as  they  first  desired  to 
hear  him  for  the  space  of  six  weeks.  In  the  following  May 
the  congregation  concurred  by  a  majority  of  votes  (vizt. 
fortey  Two  Votes  for  Mr.  Peabody  and  Twenty  Three 
blanks),  and  a  committee  consisting  of  Dea.  Edw.  Ruggles, 
Mr.  Ebenezer  Pierpont  and  Capt.  Eleazr  Williams  represent- 
ing the  church,  and  Capt.  Ralph  Holbrook  and  Ensign  Eben- 
ezer Cheney  representing  the  congregation  were  chosen  to 
wait  upon  Mr.  Oliver  Peabody  to  acquaint  him  of  their 
choice. 

Mr.  Peabody  accepted  the  call,  and  a  committee  of  five 
consisting  of  Mr.  Ebenezer  Pierpont,  Col.  Joseph  Heath, 
Col.  Joshua  Lamb  and  the  two  Deacons  were  chosen  to 
consult  with  Mr.  Peabody  upon  a  time  for  his  Ordination. 

As  a  settlement  for  Mr.  Peabody  £1200  old  tenor  was 
granted  by  the  precinct  and  £80  as  a  yearly  sallery  and  15 
cords  of  wood  during  the  life  of  our  Rev.  aged  Pastor  and 
such  further  sum  as  ye  parrish  shall  think  convenient  after 
his  Decease  so  long  as  said  Mr.  Peabody  shall  continue  our 
minister. 

Rev.  Mr.  Nehemiah  Walter  died  Sept.  17,  1750,  and  on 
the  19*^  a  committee  consisting  of  Capt.  Eleaz^  Williams, 
Capt.  John  Richardson,  Capt.  Ebenezer  Dorr,  Capt.  Sami 
Stevens  and  Deacon  Edw^  Ruggles  were  chosen  to  have  the 
oversight  of  the  funeral  for  our  late  Rev.  aged  Pastor,  Mr. 
Nehemiah  Walter  (Deacon  Sam^  Gridley  was  especially 
obliged  to  attend  on  other  business).  In  Oct.  it  was  voted 
to  raise  .£230  9s.  old  tenor  "  to  Defrey  the  charge  of  the 
funerall  of  our  late  Rev.  aged  pastor  Mr.  Nehemiah  Walter 
Deceased." 

On  Oct.  8,  1750,  a  committee  consisting  of  Lt.  Sam'l 
Heath,  Mr.  Increase  Sumner,  Lt.  Ebenezer  Newell,  Lt.  Eben- 


THE   FOURTH   MEETING   HOUSE  153 

ezer  Cheney,  Mr.  Benj.  May  was  chosen  to  have  charge  of 
the  ordination  of  Mr.  Peabody,  who  was  ordained  Nov.  7, 
1750,  the  cost  of  which  was  £132  9s.  Id.  old  Tenor. 

In  1751  the  precinct  voted  money  for  the  support  of  Madam 
Walter  giving  her  ,£500  and  quarterly  contribution  voted  last 
March  for  Mr.  Walter  and  £650  also.  They  also  voted  to 
change  the  Lecture  Day  from  Tuesdays  to  Fridays  before 
our  Sacrament.  In  March,  1752,  the  precinct  voted  8  cords 
of  wood  for  Madam  Walter  and  12  cords  for  Rev.  Mr.  Oliver 
Peabody.  During  this  year  Coll.  Joseph  Heath  presented 
a  Church  Bible  to  the  precinct. 

Rev.  Mr.  Oliver  Peabody  died  May  29,  1752,  and  the  cost 
of  the  funeral  expenses  was  £81  1*.  old  Tenor.  June  22, 
1752,  a  committee  was  chosen  to  supply  the  pulpit. 

Ebenezer  Pierpont,  Deacon  Edward  Ruggles  and  Mr. 
Joseph  Warren  were  chosen  a  committee  to  wait  upon  Madam 
Dudley  Respecting  a  Donation  or  legacy  given  to  this  Precinct 
by  the  Hon.  Paul  Dudley,  Esq.,  Late  of  Roxbury  and  if  it  may 
be  receive  the  same  for  the  use  of  the  Precinct. 

At  a  meeting  of  the  Precinct  held  Feb.  28,  1753,  Deacon 
Edward  Ruggles  presided  as  moderator  and  it  was  probably 
his  last  official  connection  with  this  church  as  he  removed  to 
Cambridge  soon  after. 

At  this  meeting  the  congregation  unanimously  concurred 
with  the  church  in  the  choice  of  Mr.  Amos  Adams  as  Pastor, 
and  a  committee  was  appointed  to  wait  upon  Mr.  Adams. 
As  a  settlement  it  was  voted  to  give  him  £1200  old  Tenor, 
being  £400  for  each  year  for  three  years  and  £90  as  a  sallery 
with  20  cords  of  wood  and  the  loose  money  put  into  the  box 
be  annually  granted  so  soon  as  he  shall  settle  with  us  and 
have  a  family.     Mr.  Adams  accepted  the  call  as  follows: 


154  THE    FOURTH    MEETING   HOUSE 

H.  College  March  ye  27,  1753. 
To  THE  First  Church  of  Christ  and  Inhabitants  of  the  First  Parish 

IN  ROXBURY 

CHRiSTLiN  Friends:  For  as  much  as  it  has  pleased  God  who  orders  the 
bounds  of  every  ones  habitation  in  the  Cource  of  his  providence  to  Bring 
me  among  you  and  after  Humble  Supplication  to  Heaven,  for  Guidance  & 
Direction  in  the  choice  of  a  minister;  You  have  Been  Inclined  to  Give  me 
an  Invitation  to  take  the  Pastoral  Charge  and  over  Sight  of  you  in  the  Lord 
(of  the  honour  and  Respect  you  Have  Done  me  therein  I  am  not  Insensi- 
ble) I  have  made  these  matters,  the  Subject  of  my  Serious  Consideration, 
with  an  Eye  to  the  fountain  of  wisdom  for  Direction  I  have  Also  consulted 
those  who  we  Trust  are  hearty  Friends  to  the  Kingdom  of  Jesus  Christ  and 
Considering  the  Happy  unanimity  at  Present  Subsisting  among  you,  I  can 
Chearfully  and  by  these  lines  do  Signify  my  acceptance  of  yoiu-  Invitation 
to  settle  among  you  in  the  work  of  the  Gospel  ministry  upon  the  Terms 
Proposed — 

and  Since  God  is  thus  Bringing  us  into  so  near  a  relation  may  it  be  the 
foundation  of  much  peace  and  Happiness  to  both  you  and  me  —  Cease  not 
my  Dear  friends  to  Beseech  the  Head  of  the  Church  to  Give  me  that  portion 
of  his  spirit  and  Grace  to  assist  and  Strengthen  me  that  I  may  Speak  as 
becomes  Sound  Doctrine  and  Conduct  my  Selfe  in  the  whole  of  my  ministry; 
with  that  wisdom  and  Prudence  that  fidellity  and  meakness  which  becomes 
a  minister  of  the  Gospell.  That  I  may  save  my  own  Soul  and  the  Souls  of 
those  Committed  to  my  Charge.  Pray  preserve  the  unity  of  the  Spirit  in 
the  Bond  of  peace.  Live  in  peace ;  and  the  God  of  Love  &  Peace  shall  be 
vsdth  you ;  and  may  be  all  Be  Brought  in  Due  Time  to  Rejoyce  together  in 
the  Kingdom  of  Glory  to  Eternity  and  be  mutual  Possessors  of  that  King- 
dom which  is  Incorruptable,  undefiled,  and  that  fadeth  not  away. 
I  am  Your  Servant  in  the  Gospel  of  Jesus  Christ 

Amos  Adams. 

In  March,  1753,  the  precinct  voted  to  build  a  spire  on  the 
steeple  of  the  meeting  house  the  cost  being  £Q8  15s.  2^d. 
—£515  Us.  Id.  old  tenor.  On  the  Lord's  day,  Sept.  2,  1753, 
the  congregation  in  the  Old  South  Church,  Boston,  was 
stayed  and  a  Letter  read  from  the  1^*  Church  in  Roxbury 
desiring  their  Assistance  in  Council  at  the  Ordination  of  Mr. 
Amos  Adams.  Granted.  Messengers,  Our  Brethren  that 
are  or  have  been  of  the  (Governor's)  Council,  the  Deacons 


THE   FOURTH    MEETING   HOUSE  155 

and  Messrs.  Edward  Broomfield  and  Isaac  Walker.  Mr. 
Adams  was  ordained  Sept.  12,  1753.  Oct.  14,  1753,  the 
Church  was  stayed  &  the  question  was  put  whether  the 
custom  of  asking  for  Pubhck  Testimony  for  such  as  are 
admitted  to  communion  shall  be  henceforth  disused  in  this 
church  &  it  passed  in  the  affirmative.  Nov.  30,  1753,  Two 
Deacons  were  chosen,  Deacon  Stephen  Williams  (formerly 
Deacon  of  the  2d  Ch.  in  this  town)  and  Brother  Ebenezer 
Craft  in  the  room  of  Deacon  Ruggles  removed  to  Cambridge. 

In  1754  a  committee  consisting  of  the  three  Deacons  with 
Capt.  Sam'l  Stevens,  Capt.  Eleazer  Williams,  and  Sam'l 
Heath  were  chosen  to  obtain  subscriptions  towards  purchas- 
ing a  Bell  for  the  meeting  house.  On  Oct.  3,  1754,  it  was 
"  Proposed  wheather  it  be  the  Desire  of  this  precinct  that  there 
may  be  no  fire  brought  into  this  meeting  by  stoves  and  passed 
in  the  affirmative. 

In  1755  the  old  bell  was  sent  to  England  to  be  recast  as  per 
following  letter  of  instructions: 

Sr.  We  herewith  Deliver  to  your  care  the  remains  of  our  old  Bell  "am* 
To  Two  hundred  &  Eighty  weight  (or  thereabouts)  Neet  which  we  Desire 
you  would  Take  due  care  to  ship  for  Great  Brittain  by  the  first  opportunity 
in  order  to  its  Being  Cast  with  the  needfull  addition  into  a  new  Bell  of  Be- 
tween five  &  six  hundred  weight.  The  size  we  apprehend  suitable  for  our 
steeple;  and  wish  it  may  return  with  speed  for  oiu-  use.  When  we  will 
Endever  You  shall  receive  the  Just  Ballance  that  may  be  due  with  our  Grate- 
full  acknowledgements  for  all  favours.  Desiring  You  would  use  Your 
Dycrefsion  respecting  Insurence  as  well  as  Dispatch;  which  is  all  needfull 
from  Sr  Yom-  Humble  Servants;  In  The  name  and  Behalf  of  the  First  Free' 
or  Parish  in  Roxbury 

Jo  Williams 


Roxbury  Sept.  Ye  1,  1755 

To  Mr.  Thos  Gunter  —  merchant. 


Noah  Perrin    }     ^''''   ^^'""^ 


In  1756  the  precinct  voted  to  have  the  Deck  on  the  Top 
of  the  steeple  sufficiently  leded  and  also  to  have  a  frame  to 
hang  the  new  Bell  upon 


156  THE    FOURTH    MEETING    HOUSE 

In  March,  1758,  Mr.  William  Blaney  was  directed  to  remove 
the  chairs  that  stand  By  the  front  Doer  and  Encumber  the 
passageway. 

At  the  precinct  or  parish  meeting  held  March  27,  1759,  it 
was  proposed  "  wheather  the  precinct  In  Consideration  of  the 
Extreordinary  price  of  provision  at  this  present  day  and  in 
answer  to  the  memorial  of  our  s«i  Rev.  Pastor  respecting  the 
Difficulty  of  Supporting  his  family,  will  make  him  any  con- 
sideration Voted  the  sum  of  Ten  pounds  money  be  granted." 

The  addition  of  Ten  pounds  was  made  each  year  until 
1762  when  he  wrote  to  the  precinct  as  follows: 

RoxBURY,  March  29  1762 
My  Brethren:  I  may  not  omit  tliis  Opportunity  of  thanking  you  for 
the  punctual  PajTnent  of  my  Salary,  as  also  for  the  additional  Ten  Pounds 
which  I  have  received:  I  likewise  heartily  thank  those  of  you  who  have 
afforded  me  private  Benefactions;  these  I  receive  as  the  kind  Testimonials 
of  your  Affection,  and  they  have  been  a  considerable  assistance  to  me  in 
the  support  of  my  Family. 

I  have  understood  that  it  hath  been  Intimated  by  some,  that  I  am  growing 
rich,  and  lading  up  money  for  my  Family ;  Justice  therefore  to  myself  and 
compassion  for  my  Family  require  me  to  set  that  matter  in  a  true  Light. 

I  have  now  reed,  from  you  Nine  years  salary.  I  do  not  know  how  it  was 
possible  for  me  or  my  family  to  live  with  greater  care  &  Frugality,  both  as 
to  clothing  &  provisions,  than  we  have  lived,  consistent  with  that  Decency, 
which  I  know  you  would  have  your  minister  preserve.  I  have  neither  right 
Title  claim  or  Interest  in  any  real  Estate  in  the  World,  besides  the  Half 
Acre  on  which  my  little  Barn  and  unfinished,  unadorned  House  do  stand, 
I  have  neither  clock  in  my  house,  nor  Watch  in  my  Pocket,  nor  a  Horse  to 
ride  on;  neither  have  I  any  way  the  means  of  purchasing  one,  nor  have  I 
cash  to  the  value  of  £S.  L.  M.  and  on  the  Balance  of  Accounts,  I  can 
assure  you,  I  do  owe  £250.  O.  Tenor  more  than  I  have  due  me  in  the  World. 
...  I  cannot  think  it  unreasonable  to  propose  that  my  salary  be  fully  made 
good  according  to  the  expences  of  a  Family;  I  am  sure  if  you  were  able  to 
give  Me  £90  p.  annum  When  I  settled  you  are  able  to  afford  me  at  least 
the  full  Value  of  that  now,  —  and  Would  it  not  be  hard  in  so  antient  and 
able  a  Parish  as  this  to  be  obliged  to  live  in  a  pincliing  manner,  and  not- 
withstanding be  imable  to  lay  up  anj^hing  for  my  Family  —  forgive  the 
Thot;  I  am  perswaded  you  are  unwilling  this  should  ever  be  the 
Case  — 


THE    FOURTH    MEETING    HOUSE  157 


The  affecting  Providence  of  God  in  taking  away  in  so  awful  a  Manner 
my  Firstborn  &  dear  Son  (I  remember  the  wormwood  and  the  Gall)  I 
desire  may  teach  me  not  to  be  too  greatly  distressed  for  my  Family;  child- 
ren are  Tender  plants  easily  cut  down;  but  is  it  possible  for  a  faithful  Hus- 
band &  Tender  Father  to  consider  a  prudent  Wife  and  his  dear  children 
liable,  whenever  their  head  is  taken  away,  to  be  scattered  in  the  World 
without  any  provision  for  feeding  and  clothing  them,  as  is  now  the  real  con- 
dition of  Mine  ? 

Am  I  unworthy  ?  let  me  ask  your  compassion  to  my  wife  and  children, 
who  I  am  sure  have  never  forfeited  your  regards. 

I  am  deeply  sensible  I  have  done  nothing  to  Claim  your  favours.  If 
my  poor  Imperfect  services  meet  with  any  degree  of  acceptance  from  any  of 
you  it  is  as  much  as  I  could  ejipect  —  If  I  have  done  anything  acceptable 
to  my  Master  I  adore  the  Grace  that  will  accept  &  reward  an  unprofitable 
servt. 

If  my  Ministrations  have  been  of  Spiritual  profit  to  any  amongst  us, 
(give  the  glory  to  God)  I  account  that  my  labour  hath  not  been  in  vain  in 
the  Lord. 

I  am  your  unworthy  servt  in  the  Gospel 

Amos  Adams. 

At  the  above  meeting  held  March  27,  1759  it  was  Proposed, 
"  Wlieather  they  would  come  into  any  method  to  Build  a  pew 
or  pews  in  the  hindermost  Seat  in  the  mens  Gallery  at  or 
near  the  South  Easterly  corner  of  the  meeting  house  in  said 
Prec't  and  Pass  in  the  affirmative  and  voted  that  the  Prect 
Committee  be  and  hereby  are  Impowered  (on  a  Suteable  num- 
ber of  Young  men  applycation  for  Liberty  to  build  a  pew  or 
pews  at  the  place  or  places  afforesaid).  To  agree  with  and 
Grant  them  Liberty  to  build  the  afforesaid  pew  or  pews  and  to 
hold  and  Ocupey  the  same  as  there  property  on  Such  Terms 
as  the  pews  in  our  late  new  meeting  house  were  held.  Wee 
who  are  hereafter  mentioned  Do  agree  to  Compleet  the  said 
seat  in  a  hansom  manner  with  your  consent  that  we  have  and 
enjoy  the  same  acording  to  the  Vote  of  the  Prect."  The  above 
was  signed  by  Jonathan  Hall,  Caleb  Howard,  Aaron  Davis, 
H.  Howell  Williams,  Moses  Dorr,  John  Bo  wen  Jun^.,  Joseph 


158  THE    FOURTH    MEETING   HOUSE 

Williams  Jun"".,  Francis  Dana,  Lemuel  May,  Ebenez""  Dorr 
Tertius,  Stephen  Williams,  John  Davis  Williams  and  they 
were  approved  by  the  Prect  Committee. 

At  the  same  time  and  for  the  same  purpose  another  peti- 
tion was  presented  signed  by  Richard  Leathbridg,  James 
Orr,  Jon^  Hall.  In  1762  as  the  bell  purchased  in  1755  was 
no  longer  fit  for  use  they  voted  to  have  a  new  bell  as  near 
the  pattern  of  y^  Rev.  Mr.  Boyles  bell  as  may  be  and  the 
next  year  they  purchased  it  weighing  6.  3.  26  and  its  entire 
cost  including  freight  on  the  old  bell  metal  was  .£22  Os.  Id. 
Abel  Rudhall  of  Gloucester,  England,  made  it.  A  grateful 
acknowledgment  was  made  by  the  Precinct  to  Mr.  William 
Jones  Marchant  in  Bristol  who  generously  gave  the  Pre- 
cinct all  his  trouble  and  Commissions  in  this  affair  and  to  the 
Hon.  James  Bowdoin,  Esq.,  who  had  given  the  precinct  a 
quantity  of  Bell  mettle  towards  the  charge  of  the  aforesaid 
new  bell  (being  about  one  hundred  weight  of  mettle)  and  to 
Isaac  Winslow,  Esq.,  for  his  assistance  in  serving  the  pre- 
cinct by  writing  to  his  friend  Mr.  Jones  afforesaid,  respect- 
ing the  procuring  said  new  bell.  They  voted  to  have  the 
same  hung  on  the  top  of  the  Tower  where  the  Late  new  Bell 
was  hung,  and  that  the  precinct  Committee  be  Desired  to 
Imploye  sum  faithfull  workmen  to  do  all  that  may  be  thought 
needful  to  Brace  and  Strengthen  the  Steeple  in  the  best 
manner  they  are  able  to  do  and  that  the  sum  of  Twenty 
pounds  be  granted  and  raised  in  the  usual  manner  as  soon  as 
may  be  to  Defrey  the  charges  thereof  and  other  necessary 
charges  in  the  precinct  ye  year  ensuing. 

In  1763  the  three  seats  to  the  right  of  the  clock  in  the 
center  of  the  gallery  (lately  occupied  by  them)  were  appro- 
priated for  "such  persons  as  are  and  may  be  inclined  to  sit 
together  for  the  purpose  of  singing  on  Lords  Days  and 
other  times  of  Divine  Service"  and  that  they  have  Liberty  to 


THE    FOURTH   MEETING   HOUSE  159 

make  such  alterations  for  their  own  convenience  as  may  be 
thought  needful  so  as  not  to  marr  or  hurt  the  house. 

In  1764  there  were  three  stones  one  at  each  door  of  the 
porch  on  the  South  side  of  the  meeting  house.  In  this  year 
the  precinct  voted  £90  salary  for  our  Rev.  Pastor  Mr.  Adams 
and  the  further  sum  of  £10  as  a  gift  in  consideration  of  the 
price  of  provisions  and  £16  for  his  firewood.  Also  £30  for 
sweeping  and  Taking  care  of  the  meeting  house  and  to 
Defrey  other  charges  in  the  precinct  the  year  ensuing.  At 
the  annual  meeting  in  March  the  Petition  was  presented  of 
Daniel  Bugbe,  John  Bowing,  Jonathan  Davis  and  Aaron 
Davis  "  Humbly  Shewing  that  wheirias  it  is  Generally  thought 
that  the  foure  hind  seats  in  the  body  of  our  meeting  house 
might  be  very  well  spaired  and  no  waise  Discommode  it; 
but  be  ornamentall  to  have  foure  Pews  built  in  theire  Roome 
—  we  theirefore  Desire  that  you  woold  take  it  into  your 
Consideration  and  if  in  your  great  wisdome  you  thinck  fit: 
you  woold  Grant  Liberty  to  your  Petitioners  to  Erect  foure 
Pews  for  the  use  of  theire  famileys  in  those  seats  in  so  doing 
you  will  oblidge  youre  Petetioners;  and  they  as  in  Duty 
bound  shall  ever  pray." 

At  a  meeting  held  in  May,  1764,  it  was  Voted  "  that  Mess. 
Aaron  Davis,  Capt.  John  Williams  and  Mr.  NatW  Felton 
be  a  committee  to  regulate  and  seat  the  Several  seats  in  ye 
meeting  house  By  Desireing  so  many  Elderly  persons  to 
come  down  out  of  the  Gallery  as  to  fill  up  the  Body  Seats 
Below."  Then  enquiray  was  made  respecting  the  pews 
occupd  by  Mess.  Thomas  Bell  and  Jno.  Pierpont  &  others 
and  Mr.  Bell  being  present  was  questioned  concerning  his 
occuping  the  late  Capt.  Jarvis^  Pew  and  answered  That  as 
Mrs.  Jarvis  had  not  Disposed  of  her  estate  in  the  Town 
he  thought  himseK  Intitled  to  set  in  the  Pew  on  such  Terms 
as  she  and  he  might  agree  and  had  accordingly  set  in  the 


160  THE    FOURTH    MEETING    HOUSE 

said  Pew  with  his  family.  A  committee  was  immediately 
chosen  to  enquire  into  the  Disposition  of  the  Pews  sup- 
posed to  be  disposed  of  contrary  to  the  votes  of  the  Parish 
and  to  make  report  at  the  anniversary  meeting  in  March 
next  ensuing,  at  which  meeting  the  committee  reported 
that  Lt.  William  Cheeney  had  made  an  offer  of  the  Prec*  or 
there  com^t^  of  the  pew  now  occup"!  by  Mr.  John  Pierpont. 

Sept.  20,  1768.  This  church  and  Congregation  in  con- 
junction with  other  churches  unanimously  agreed  to  keep  this 
day  as  a  day  of  fasting  and  prayer  in  the  present  threatening 
state  of  public  affairs. 

At  a  meeting  held  in  March,  1772,  a  petition  was  pre- 
sented signed  by  Thomas  Williams,  Ebenezer  Dorr,  Aaron 
Davis  Jr.,  Sam'l  Sumner,  Thadeus  Partridge,  WilP  Bosson, 
Caleb  Hayward,  Sam'l  Sumner  Jr.,  Edw^  Sumner,  John 
Woods,  James  Mears,  Benj*  Curtis,  Stephen  Williams, 
which  showed  that  it  was  their  earnest  desire  to  have  a  good 
Clock  to  the  Meeting  House  and  for  that  purpose  humbly 
prayed  that  the  precinct  would  set  of  and  make  four  new 
pews  from  of  the  Body  seats  two  on  each  side  so  as  to  include 
the  ally  on  the  side  of  the  Body  seats  in  said  pues  and  that 
these  pues  when  finished  may  be  Disposed  of  in  such  way 
and  Manner  as  the  Committee  or  inhabitants  of  said  precinct 
shall  think  Best,  that  the  money  which  the  said  pues  shall 
be  so  sold  for  may  be  applied  towards  the  Purchasing  the 
said  clock  for  an  Ornament  for  the  said  Meeting  House. 
That  the  attendance  at  the  services  was  increasing  is  shown 
by  the  fact  that  a  meeting  was  called  in  February,  1774, 
to  consider  a  proposal  to  enlarge  the  Meeting  House.  The 
proposal  was  for  an  addition  of  about  30  feet  in  length  at 
the  Easterly  End  of  said  House,  said  addition  to  be  made 
without  weakening  or  injuring  the  house  or  in  any  manner 
spoiling  its  proportion;    and  the  whole  cost  or  expense  of 


THE    FOURTH    MEETING   HOUSE  161 

such  an  alteration  or  addition  being  on  a  moderate  computa- 
tion £333  65  8d.  which  a  sufficient  number  of  subscribers 
appear  to  pay.  The  Petitioners  named  below  will  take  and 
receive  the  new  pews  or  seats  subject  to  the  following  regu- 
lations : 

(1)  That  there  be  24  new  pews  on  the  floor  equal  in  bigness  to  those  in 
the  present  house. 

(2)  That  the  additional  room  in  the  Gallery  be  offered  to  the  Precinct 
with  the  seats  or  pews  Built  compleet  and  finished  if  they  shall  choose  it 
at  the  sum  of  ^57  10s.  or  otherwise  that  there  be  10  pews  built  in  the  Gallery 
to  be  Disposed  of  by  the  Petitioners  under  Due  regulations  so  as  to  raise  the 
said  sum. 

(3)  That  moving  the  Pulpit,  seats,  pews  and  porches  &c  be  done  with- 
out any  expense  to  the  Precinct. 

(4)  That  those  persons  who  have  seats  removed  shall  have  liberty  to 
take  the  same  situation  in  the  new  house  from  the  Pulpit. 

(5)  That  the  timber  windows  and  all  the  stuff  that  may  be  taken  out  of 
the  easterly  end  of  the  present  house  be  allowed  to  help  make  the  addition. 

(6)  If  there  be  more  subscribers  than  can  be  accomodated  then  those  to 
be  admitted  first  who  stand  highest  on  the  Precinct  role  of  Valuation  for 
their  own  estates. 

(7)  That  the  pews  pay  the  whole  expense  of  the  addition  and  alteration 
(in  case  Ten  are  built  in  the  Gallery)  otherwise  to  pay  all  the  expense  (ex- 
cept only  £57  lOs.).  To  be  paid  by  the  Precinct  if  they  shall  choose  to 
retain  the  Galleries  for  seats  or  to  their  own  use. 

(8)  If  there  should  not  be  a  sufficient  nimiber  of  subscribers  appear  at 
first  those  pews  that  are  not  taken  up  shall  be  the  Property  of  the  subscribers 
to  be  disposed  of  imder  the  Direction  of  the  Parish  Committee. 

(9)  That  if  any  Person  or  Persons  should  at  any  time  hereafter  Incline 
to  Dispose  of  his  or  there  Pew  or  Pews  they  shall  be  under  the  same  regu- 
lations of  those  in  the  Present  house  and  make  the  first  offer  to  the  Precinct 
or  their  Committee  by  the  space  of  one  month  before  such  Disposal. 

(10)  That  one  half  the  money  for  the  addition  be  paid  by  the  subscribers, 
within  one  week  after  the  Building  be  raised  and  the  remainder  when  the 
Precinct  Committee  shall  judge  the  work  is  completed. 

(11)  That  if  any  of  the  subscribers  shall  be  in  arrears  for  their  pew  three 
months  after  the  house  is  finished:  it  shall  be  in  the  power  of  the  sub- 
scribers to  sell  the  same  with  the  approbation  of  the  Parish  Committee. 


162  THE    FOURTH    MEETING   HOUSE 

(12)  In  case  the  work  be  not  completed  without  Troubling  the  sub- 
scribers on  or  before  the  last  day  of  Oct.,  A.D.,  1774,  then  those  persons 
who  have  subscribed  may  be  at  Liberty  to  make  the  agreement  void. 

(13)  The  24  pews  added  on  the  lower  floor  to  be  all  of  a  price:  Numbered 
and  Drawn  by  a  lottery  by  such  persons  as  shall  appear  and  subscribe  for 
them  agreeable  to  the  before  mentioned  conditions  and  Regulations. 

(14)  In  case  the  Precinct  should  not  Incline  to  keep  the  Room  in  ye 
Galleries  to  themselves ;  Neither  in  seats  nor  pews  at  the  sum  of  fifty  seven 
pounds  ten  shillings  lawfull  money  above  mentioned.  Then  the  same 
shall  belong  to  the  said  Twenty  four  persons  to  be  made  into  pews  and 
Disposed  of  for  their  advantage  under  the  regulations  afforesaid. 

(15)  As  it  is  always  intended  and  so  to  be  understood  that  the  said  Twenty 
four  persons  to  whom  the  said  pews  on  the  floor  shall  be  assigned  are  to  be 
answerable  for  all  the  cost  and  charge  of  said  addition  to  the  House  (except 
as  before  excepted) 

Moses  Davis  .  Aaron  Davis 

Stephen  Williams  James  Mears 

William  Bowman  Susanna  Davis 

Caleb  Hayward  Thos.  Wyman 

John  Greaton,  Jr.  John  Bowen 

Nehemiah  Mum-oe  Aaron  Blaney 

Nathl  Eaton  Samuel  Langley 

Jonathan  Patten  Ebenezer  Cheney 

Joseph  Smith  John  Slack 

Jonathan  Parker  Sam'l  Whittemore 

Jeremiah  Parker,  Jr.  and  by  the  Parish  vote 

James  White  Jos.  Williams  for 

Richard  Lethbridge  William  Dudley 

Adam  Pattie  Aaron  Davis 

Stephen  Williams  for  Ebenezer  Davis 

Ralph  Smith  Nath.  Ruggles 

Ebenezer  Wales  Abijah  Sever. 

The  precinct  took  the  gallery  room  and  made  it  into  seats 
All  the  above  votes  passed. 

May  12,  1774,  a  petition  was  signed  by  Stephen  Williams 
2nd,  Moses  Davis,  W"  Bowman,  Caleb  Hayward,  Stephen 
"Williams,  Adam  Pattie,  Thad.  Partridge,  and  addressed  to 
the  Committee  of  the  first  Precinct  or  Parish  which  humbly 


THE   FOURTH    MEETING   HOUSE  163 

requested  them  to  notify  and  call  a  meeting  of  all  the  free- 
holders and  inhabitants  of  said  Precinct  Quallif^  to  vote  in 
Precinct  affairs  To  assemble  at  the  meeting  house  in  said 
Precinct  on  friday  the  Twentieth  day  of  May  instant  at 
five  of  the  clock  in  ye  afternoon  then  and  there  to  know 
whether  they  will  give  Liberty  to  open  the  said  meeting 
house  in  or  near  the  middle  so  as  to  build  ye  proposed 
new  addition  of  thirty  feet  in  the  middle  of  the  said 
house. 

March  29,  1775,  it  was  Voted  that  Messrs  Thomas  Clarke, 
Samuel  Croxford,  John  Porker,  Ezekiel  Jones,  Benj^  Stevens, 
Jacob  Whittemore,  Jabez  Parter,  John  Smith,  Ebenezer 
Smith,  John  Hopkins  and  Mathew  Davis  be  and  hereby  are 
allowed  to  have  and  hold  the  new  Pew  at  the  Westerly  End 
of  the  front  Gallery  built  in  the  place  of  the  hind  seat  on 
their  paying  to  the  prect  or  their  committee  thirteen  shillings 
&  four  pence  each  for  their  seat  in  the  said  pew  and  being 
obliged  to  give  the  first  offer  thereof  to  the  Precinct  for  the 
same  sum  in  case  they  shall  incline  to  Dispose  thereof  at 
any  time  hereafter  by  the  space  of  one  month  next  before 
they  shall  sell  the  same. 

No  public  meetings  were  held  in  the  meeting  house  be- 
tween March  29,  1775,  and  April  8,  1776. 

No  religious  meetings  could  be  held  here  while  the  siege 
of  Boston  lasted,  and  the  building  was  used  as  a  signal 
station  for  the  army.  A  constant  and  conspicuous  target 
for  the  British  cannon,  the  meeting  house  was  pierced  through 
in  many  places,  one  ball  passing  through  the  belfry.  The 
pews  and  the  bell  had  been  taken  out  by  the  parish  com- 
mittee, and  the  communion  plate  carried  by  Rev.  Mr. 
Adams  to  Medfield. 

April  8,  1776,  it  was  Voted  the  sum  of  Two  hundred 
pounds  Like  money  be  Granted  and  raised  in  usual  manner 


164  THE    FOURTH    MEETING   HOUSE 

the  year  ensueing  to  Defrey  the  Charge  of  repareing  the 
meeting  house  and  to  make  Good  former  Deficiences  and 
to  Defrey  the  Charge  of  the  funeral  of  our  late  Rev.  pastor 
Mr.  Amos  Adams  Deceased  and  all  other  necessary  Charges 
in  the  Prect.  ye  year  ensuing. 

There  are  no  entries  in  the  records  between  April  8,  1776, 
and  March  24,  1777,  on  which  latter  date  the  precinct  voted 
to  pay  INIr.  Croxford,  the  sexton,  his  bill  for  twelve  shillings 
for  services  at  the  funeral  of  Mr.  Amos  Adams. 

The  members  of  the  parish  were  scattered,  and  until  1782 
there  was  no  settled  minister. 

In  1780  Mr.  James  How  and  others  requested  "for  liberty 
to  Ring  ye  Bell  at  ye  hour  of  one  of  ye  Clock  and  Nine  at 
night  in  case  a  suteable  number  will  subscribe  to  Defrey  ye 
charge  thereof.  Voted  they  may  have  Liberty  to  employ 
the  Sexton  for  the  Purposes  affores«i  and  provided  they  will 
Defrey  ye  Charges  and  Take  Due  care  that  ye  meeting  house 
and  Bell  are  not  Damnified. 

August  20,  1781  it  was  voted  That  our  three  Deacons  be 
added  unto  the  Committee  for  supplying  the  Pulpit  &c. 
At  a  parish  meeting  held  March  25,  1782,  Doctor  Jonathan 
Davis  and  Robert  Pierpont  presented  a  petition  in  which 
they  begged  leave  to  Represent  that  the  Long  seats  in  the 
body  of  the  meeting  house  were  not  generally  filled,  that 
they  apprehended  four  pews  might  be  built  on  the  back 
seats  without  the  least  inconvenience  to  any  person  what- 
ever and  the  committee  reported  that  they  found  it  expedi- 
ent to  build  the  four  pews  and  to  sell  the  same  at  vendue. 

At  a  meeting  held  July  5,  1782,  the  church  having  voted 
unanimously  to  call  Mr.  Eliphalet  Porter,  the  congregation 
voted  61  to  1  to  call  him,  that  one  vote  says  "not  Disposed 
to  concur"  and  a  committee  was  appointed  to  wait  on  Mr. 
Porter. 


THE    FOURTH    MEETING    HOUSE  165 

At  a  meeting  held  Aug.  30,  1782  it  was  announced  that 
four  of  the  new  pews  were  owned  by 

No.  1.  Nehemiah  Munroe  cost  $105.  — 

No.  2.  Increase  Sumner  "        235.  — 

No.  3.  Mr.  David  Wait  "       205.  — 

No.  4.  John  Read  "       135.  —  $680.  — 


At  this  same  meeting  the  Precinct  received  the  answer  of 
Mr.  EHphalet  Porter  wherein  he  manifested  his  acceptance 
of  the  call  Given  him  to  the  Pastoral  Care  of  this  Church 
and  Congregation  which  is  as  folio weth  viz: 

RoxBtTEY,  Aug.  ye  24tli  1782. 
Friends  Bretheren  &  Fathers 

The  Invitation  which  you  have  been  Pleased  to  Give  me 
to  Settle  with  you  in  the  Gospel  ministry  I  have  endeavoured  to  consider  with 
That  Seriousness  and  attention  which  its  importance  requires,  I  have  looked 
to  The  fountain  of  wisdom  for  Direction,  and  have  not  failed  to  ask  Councel 
of  those  my  friends,  &  fathers  in  the  ministry  whom  I  have  had  the  oppor- 
tunity of  consulting  —  as  the  result  of  my  Deliberations,  and  the  ad^'ice  which 
I  have  Received,  I  Now  accept  your  Invitation  with  cherfulness,  &  Desire 
to  Return  my  unfeigned  thanks  for  that  Testimony,  which  you  have  Given 
me  of  your  affection  &  Esteem.  Nothing  could  have  had  Greater  influence 
on  my  mind  in  this  Determination,  or  have  afforded  me  more  pleasure  on 
the  Present  Ocation,  than  the  union  which  you  have  manifested  in  your 
choice,  unless  your  unanimity  had  been  perfect.  I  thank  you  for  the  support 
which  you  have  offered  me,  and  have  the  fullest  confidence  in  your  Gen- 
erossity  shod  the  State  of  things  be  such  as  to  Render  it  insufficient  to 
answer  the  Designe  proposed.  I  am  senceable  that  my  undertakeing  is 
Great  and  arduous  &  I  desire  to  make  my  Dependance  on  the  Divine  aid  & 
assistance  may  &  at  all  times  have  that  wisdom  which  is  proffitable  to  Direct, 
and  obtain  mercy  of  the  lord  to  be  found  faithfull,  may  my  SerAaces  among 
you  be  usefull  and  acceptable  and  may  there  never  be  Reason  for  the  com- 
plaint that  I  have  laboured  in  vain.  Permit  me  to  assure  you  of  that  affec- 
tion &  attachment  which  I  feel  Towards  you  &  to  express  my  earnest  desire 
Ever  to  Enjoye  a  place  in  the  Kind  and  Effectionate  regards  of  you  all  and 
in  your  Remembrance  of  me  at  the  throne  of  Grace  —  may  the  Shepherd 


166  THE    FOURTH    MEETING   HOUSE 

of  Iseral  he  that  leadeth  Joseph  like  a  flock  take  you  &  me  by  the  hand  & 
lead  us  on  in  the  way  of  Duty  &  in  the  paths  of  Peace  &  love  til  we  shall 
Joyne  the  redeemed  Company  and  Church  of  the  first  Born  in  heaven.  I 
am  with  sinsear  affection  &  Regard  your  friend  &  Servt. 

Eliphalet   Porter. 

The  following  letter  was  also  sent  to  the  Churches  under 
the  Pastoral  Care  of 

The  Rev«^  Mr.  Porter  of  Bridgwater 
The  Revd  Mr.  Haven  of  Dedham 
The  Revd  Dr.  Cooper  of  Boston 
The  Revd  Mr.  Jackson  of  Brockton 
The  Rev.  Mr.  Payson  of  Chelsea 
The  Rev.  Mr.  Abbot  of  Roxbury 
The  Rev.  Mr.  Elliott  of  Boston 

The  first  Church  of  Clirist  in  Roxbury  to  the  first  Chm-ch  of  Christ  in  Boston 

mider  the  Pastoral  Care  of  the  Revd.  Docf  Charles  Chauncy  and  the 

Revd  John  Clark  sends  Greeting  — 

It  having  pleased  God  in  his  holy  providence  to  lead  the  Church  of  Christ 

in  this  place  together  with  the  Congregation  to  the  Choice  of  Mr.  Eliphalet 

Porter  to  the  Pastoral  Office  among  us,  and  to  incline  him  to  accept  of  our 

Call  &  invitation  thereunto.  We  have  thought  fit  to  appoint  Wednesday  the 

2d  day  of  October  next  for  his  Solemn  Separation  to  that  important  Office 

according  to  the  directions  of  the  Gospel. 

We  earnestly  request  the  presence  &  assistance  of  your  Revd  Pastors  & 
such  Delegates  as  you  shall  think  fit  to  send  with  them  to  imite  with  the 
Revd  Pastors  &  Messengers  of  several  other  Churches  in  such  Acts  & 
Offices  as  the  Solemnities  of  the  Day  may  require. 

We  ask  your  Prayers  to  Almighty  God  for  his  blessing  on  our  important 
undertaking,  and  that  the  Gospel  of  the  blessed  Jesus  may  have  its  proper 
Effect  among  us.  We  wish  Grace,  mercy  &  peace  from  God  the  Father  and 
our  Lord  Jesus  Christ  may  be  multiplied  unto  you  and  subscribe  our  Selves 
your  Brethren  in  the  faith  &  fellowship  of  the  Gospel. 

W^^.  Gridley 

Inc.  Sumner 

Jos.  RuGGLES  Committee  of  the 

Ralph  Smith  Church  & 

David  Wait  Congregation 

John  J.  Spooner 

Thos.  Clarke 
Roxbury,  Sept.  16,  1782. 


THE  FOURTH  MEETING  HOUSE 


167 


The  Council  were  desired  to  meet  at  the  House  of  I.  Sum- 
ner Esq.  at  10  o'clock  A  M.  &  from  thence  to  proceed  to 
the  Meeting  House  &  begin  the  Solemnity  there  exactly  at 
two  o'clock  in  the  afternoon. 

Mr.  Porter  was  ordained  Oct.  2,  1782,  the  Charge  being 
given  by  Rev.  Dr.  Cooper  of  Boston,  and  the  Rev.  Mr.  Abbot 
of  the  Second  Parish  in  Roxbury  presented  the  Right  Hand 
of  Fellowship.  The  total  cost  of  the  ordination  was  ^51. 
Mr.  Porter's  salary  was  j&xed  at  =£240  lawfull  money,  <£120  the 
first  year  of  his  ministry  with  us,  ^120  the  second  year  of  his 
ministry  among  us,  and  £120  granted  annually  as  a  sallery, 
also  20  cords  of  wood  for  him  after  he  shall  have  a  family 
annually. 

The  Names  of  the  Male  members  of  the  First  Church  of 
Christ  in  Roxbury  when  the  Rev.  Mr.  Porter  was  ordained 


Doct.  Thomas  Williams 
Mr.  Moses  Davis 
Mr.  Ebenezer  Bugbee 
Mr.  Stephen  Williams 
Mr.  Nathaniel  Felton 
Mr.  Joshua  Felton 
Mr.  John  Curtis 
Mr.  Thaddeus  Partrige 
Dea.  Samuel  Sumner 
Col.  John  Greaton 
Mr.  Charles  Belknap 
Mr.  Edmund  Weld 
Mr.  James  Mears 
Mr.  Aaron  White 
Mr.  John  WiUiams 
Mr.  John  Williams,  Jr. 
Doct.  Samuel  Cheeney 
Mr.  John  Brewer 
Mr.  Noah  Perrin 
Mr.  Thomas  Macarty 
Dea.  William  Gridley 


Mr.  Nathaniel  Patten 
Mr.  Samuel  Bowen 
Mr.  Joseph  Ruggles 
Mr.  Thomas  Clark 
Mr.  Ralph  Smith 
Mr.  John  Pierpont 
IVIr.  Robert  Pierpont 
Dea.  Ebenezer  Craft 
Mr.  Simeon  Pratt 
Mr.  John  Ward 
Mr.  Jon^  Craft 
Gen.  William  Heath 
Mr.  Peleg  Heath 
IVIr.  Samuel  Heath 
Col.  Joseph  Williams 
Mr.  Thomas  Dana 
Mr.  Joseph  Smith 
Mr.  Daniel  Monroe 
Mr.  Nehemiah  Monroe 
Mr.  John  Bowen 
Mr.  Joshua  Bowen 


168  THE   FOURTH    MEETING   HOUSE 

Capt.  Joseph  Williams  Mr,  Jona.  Williams 

Mr.  Jona  Parker  Mr. Corey 

Mr.  John  Da\'is  Williams  Mr.  Thomas  Nolen 

Mr.  Samuel  Wittemore,  Jr.  Mr.  Nathaniel  Sparhawk 

Mr.  Samuel  Williams  Hon.  Increase  Sumner 

Capt.  William  Heath  Mr.  William  Dudley 
Whole  number  54. 

In  1787  a  number  of  gentlemen  living  in  the  vicinity  of  the 
meeting  house  presented  the  precinct  with  a  clock  which  was 
placed  on  the  Bell  tower. 

At  a  meeting  held  Wednesday  April  23,  1788  a  letter  from 
Joseph  Williams  Esq.  (who  has  been  Parish  Clerk  for  Forty 
seven  years  past)  being  laid  before  the  Parish  wherein  he 
signified  his  resignation  of  the  Office  of  Clerk  and  Assessor 
on  a  motion  made  and  seconded  Voted  unanimously  that  the 
resignation  of  the  said  Joseph  Williams  Esquire  be  accepted, 
and  that  the  thanks  of  the  Parish  be,  and  hereby  are  given 
to  the  said  Joseph  Williams  Esquire  for  his  long  and  faithful 
services  in  the  offices  aforesaid. 

At  this  meeting  the  titles  of  all  the  officers  were  changed 
from  Precinct  to  Parish. 

At  this  meeting  it  was  voted  that  the  Committee  provide 
a  suitable  seat  for  the  Sexton  and  direct  him  to  hand  the  box 
round  the  Meeting  House  on  every  Lords  Day  in  the  after- 
noon after  sermon  is  ended  in  order  that  the  People  may  have 
an  opportunity  of  contributing  towards  the  Parish  tax  as  may 
be  convenient  to  them.  And  that  all  the  loose  monies  that 
may  be  contributed  be  for  the  Rev.  Mr.  Porter  over  and  above 
his  Salery. 

At  a  meeting  held  April  28,  1790,  Deacon  Joshua  Felton, 
Capt.  Joseph  Williams  and  Deacon  Nehemiah  Munroe  were 
appointed  a  Committee  to  repair  forthwith  to  the  Singers 
Seats,  view  the  same,  and  report  what  repairs  in  their  opinion 


THE    FOURTH    MEETING   HOUSE  169 

are  necessary  to  be  made  thereon ;  who  reported  "  that  several 
Doors  are  wanting,  and  that  several  parts  thereof  require 
some  repair,"  whereupon.  Voted  that  the  Parish  Committee 
cause  such  repairs  to  be  made  on  said  seats  as  they  shall 
think  expedient.  Whereas  on  the  29*^  day  of  March  1775 
the  Parish  Voted,  that  the  Young  men's  seats  scituate  at  the 
South  Westerly  part  of  the  Galery,  fronting  the  Pulpit,  should 
be  granted  to  Thomas  Clarke,  and  others  on  the  conditions  in 
the  said  vote  mentioned ;  and  WTiereas,  by  reason  of  the  com- 
mencement of  the  War  immediately  after,  the  said  conditions 
were  never  complied  with,  whereby  the  said  seat  still  remains 
the  property  of  the  Parish.  Therefore  Voted,  that  the  Parish 
Committee  be  and  hereby  are  directed  to  cause  the  said  seat 
to  be  put  in  decent  repair,  and  to  sell  the  same  for  the  most 
they  will  fetch  for  the  benefit  of  the  Parish.  At  this  meeting 
the  sexton  was  desired  to  occupy  the  seat  made  for  him  on 
the  top  of  the  Pulpit  stairs.  In  1792  setting  up  Stoves  in  the 
Meeting  House  was  refused. 

Among  the  few  sermons  of  this  century  which  have  been 
handed  down  to  the  present  day  is  one  delivered  in  this  Meet- 
ing House  Nov.  16,  1794,  by  Samuel  Kendall,  A.M.,  Pastor  of 
the  Congregational  Church  in  Weston  entitled  "Love  an 
essential  Attribute  of  Deity." 

May  1st  1795,  the  parish  committee  let  thirteen  seats  in  the 
back  pew  in  the  Gallery  to  Mr.  Samuel  Langley  at  two 
shillings  each  for  one  year. 

May  9,  1796,  Messrs  Aaron  Davis,  Ralph  Smith,  John 
Swift,  Ebenezer  Brewer  and  James  Howe  were  appointed  a 
committee  to  ascertain  the  expense  of  a  room,  candles  and 
fewel  necessary  to  accommodate  the  Singers  for  one  year  and 
to  open  a  subscription  for  the  probable  amount.  At  this 
meeting  it  was  voted  that  the  rent  already  due  for  the  Parish 
pew  below  and  the  thirteen  seats  in  the  long  pew  in  the  Gallery 


170  THE   FOURTH    MEETING   HOUSE 

belonging  to  the  Parish  be  appropriated  towards  said  expenses 
of  the  singers. 

The  Parish  received  at  various  times  the  following  legacies : 

From  Joshua  Lamb  of  <£13  65.  8d.  for  the  poor  widdows 

of  the  First  Church,  Roxbury. 
From  Lieut.  Caleb    Stedman  of  £4  for  the  poor  of  the 

First  Church,  Roxbury. 
From  Ebenezer  Warren  of  £6  135.  M.  for  poor  widdows  of 

the  First  Church,  Roxbury. 
From   an  unknown   hand  of    <£13   6s.    8d.   for  the  poor 

widdows  of  the  First  Church,  Roxbury. 
From  Judge  Dudley  of  £7  12s.  for  the  poor  widdows  of 

the  First  Church,  Roxbury. 
Contributions    in    the    First   Parish    in    Roxbury  for  the 
sufferers  by  Fire  were 

Apr.  20,  1787  70  dwelling  houses  in  South  part  of  Boston 

£23  18s. 
Mch.  9,   1788  home  of  Capt.  Sam'l  Langley  of  Warwick 

£15  185. 
Nov.  13,  1793  house  of  Nathan  Shed  £12. 
July  30,  1794  45  houses  South  end  Boston  £70  7.9. 
May  22,  1796  house  of  David  Ockington,  Needham  $48.58. 
Jan.  30,  1797  furniture  James  Tolman  of  Dorchester  $36.00. 
Apr.  2,  1797  Eben.  Fox  of  Roxbury  part  of  Building  $79.16. 
Saturday  Aug.  4,  1798  the  New  Bell  was  suspended  in  the 
Balcony  of  the  Meeting  House  the  committee  having  pre- 
viously bought  it  of  Paul  Revere,  being  one  made  at  his  bell 
foundry.     Bell  weighed  862  lbs.  cbst  $371.13  less  old  bell 
$130.17  making  net  cost  as  $240.96. 

May  27,  1799,  Voted  not  to  build  a  new  meeting  house. 
July  4,  1800  at  the  Request  of  the  inhabitants  of  the  Town 
of  Roxbury  an  Oration  was  pronounced  in  this  House  in 
commemoration    of     American    Independence    by    Luther 
Richardson. 


THE   FOURTH    MEETING   HOUSE  171 

In  1801  a  committee  was  chosen  to  endeavour  to  revive  the 
singing  in  the  congregation. 

April  29, 1802,  it  was  voted  to  take  measures  for  building  a 
new  meeting  house.  The  Parish  committee  was  directed  to 
procure  a  room  and  to  furnish  candles  to  accomodate  the 
Singers  one  night  in  a  week  to  practise. 

May  4,  1802,  three  different  plans  were  exhibited  and  it 
appeared  to  the  committee  that  the  Plan  of  the  Newburyport 
meeting  house  is  the  most  elligible  for  Roxbury  with  a  few 
alterations  and  Messrs.  William  Blaney,  John  Sawen,  and 
Humphrey  Bicknell  were  appointed  a  sub-committee  to 
draught  a  plan  for  our  meeting  house  similar  to  Newburyport 
meeting  house  with  alterations,  as  expressed  by  the  committee, 
and  report  estimate  of  the  cost  with  brick  and  the  cost  with 
wood. 

May  31, 1802,  it  was  agreed  that  the  amount  to  be  assessed 
on  the  pews  in  this  meeting  house  should  be  $2160,  being 
$30.00  per  pew  on  floor  and  $15.00  per  pew  in  gallery,  show- 
ing that  there  were  68  pews  on  floor  and  8  square  pews  in 
gallery.  In  June  the  parish  voted  to  build  a  new  meeting 
house  of  wood  but  with  a  long  spire. 

Aug.  5,  1802,  the  Committee  chosen  to  build  the  new  meet- 
ing house  were  Mr.  Ralph  Smith,  Joseph  Ruggles,  Esq., 
Capt.  Joseph  Williams,  Mr.  William  Blaney  &  Nathaniel 
Ruggles,  Esq. 

At  a  meeting  held  April  7,  1803,  it  was  voted  that  the  old 
meeting  house  be  put  up  at  auction  and  voted  that  the 
thanks  of  this  parish  be  given  to  the  middle  parish  in  Rox- 
bury for  their  kind  offer  to  accomodate  our  congregation  in 
their  meeting  house  during  the  time  that  ours  is  building 
and  that  the  parish  committee  be  directed  to  express  the 
same  to  the  Rev.  Mr.  Gray. 


172  THE   FOURTH    MEETING    HOUSE 

April  14,  1803,  the  parish  committee  reported  that  they 
had  procured  Capt.  Stoddards  new  brick  building  oposite 
the  meeting  house,  unfinished,  for  the  congregation  to  meet 
in,  for  devine  service,  until  the  20  of  October  next  for  the 
sum  of  one  hundred  &  twenty  dollars.  They  then  adjourned 
for  one  hour  to  give  time  for  the  sale  of  the  old  meeting 
house.  The  conditions  of  sale  were  —  The  highest  bidder  to 
be  the  purchaser.  Any  dispute  arising  between  two  or  more 
bidders  the  premises  to  be  put  up  again.  The  building 
to  be  taken  away  and  the  ground  around  the  same  to  be 
cleared  by  the  first  of  May  next.  The  purchaser  to 
carefully  take  down  the  Bell  and  frame  thereof  with  the 
two  clocks  &  apparatus.  The  house  to  be  sold  as  it 
now  stands,  excepting  the  moveables,  the  bell  &  frame, 
Clocks  and  apparatus.  The  underpinning  stones  &  steps  to 
be  left.  The  Building,  as  now  mentioned,  to  be  sold  on  a 
credit  of  two  years  with  satisfactory  security  on  interest  from 
the  first  of  May  next. 

The  Honbie  John  Read  Esq.  was  the  highest  bidder  and 
it  was  struck  off  to  him  for  the  sum  of  Six  hundred  dollars 
$600.  Then  after  the  sale.  Voted  that  the  parish  committee 
have  a  plan  taken  of  the  pews  &  their  situation  in  the  old 
meeting  house  before  it  be  removed,  and  that  they  advertise 
in  the  parish,  for  the  pewholders  in  the  old  meeting  house, 
to  exhibit  their  claims  to  pews  and  parts  of  pews,  clearly 
designated,  to  the  parish  committee  before  the  first  of  Octo- 
ber next  in  order  that  the  compensation  voted  by  the  parish 
may  be  awarded  to  the  proper  owners. 

Two  days  after  the  Parish  committee  gave  notice  that 
they  have  a  plan  of  the  situation  of  the  pews  in  the  old  meeting 
house,  but  this  plan  cannot  be  found. 

April  17,  1803,  was  held  the  last  Meeting  of  the  Congrega- 
tion in  the  old  Meeting  House  for  Public  Worship  and  on 


THE    FOURTH    MEETING    HOUSE  173 

the  next  sabbath  the  24th  the  first  meeting  in  Capt.  Stoddard's 
New  house  for  public  worship. 

The  plan  of  rebuilding  encountered  opposition.  Heath's 
manuscript  journal  under  date  of  April  18,  1803,  says:  "This 
day  the  meeting  house  in  the  First  Parish  of  this  town  was 
begun  to  be  pulled  down.  It  was  not  half  worn  out,  and 
might  have  been  repaired  with  a  saving  of  $10,000  to  the 
parish.  It  has  been  sold  for  $600.  Whether  every  genera- 
tion grows  wiser  or  not,  it  is  evident  they  grow  more  fashion- 
able and  extravagant." 


174  THE   FOURTH    MEETING   HOUSE 

REV.    MR.    NEHEMIAH   WALTER 

Sketch  of  his  life  under  Second  Meeting  House: 

REV.    OLIVER   PEABODY 

Ohver  Peabody,  son  of  Rev.  Oliver  and  Hannah  (Baxter) 
Peabody  of  Natick,  was  born  Jan.  15, 1725/6,  and  a  graduate 
of  Harvard  College  in  1745.  At  a  Precinct  meeting  held  May 
28,  1750,  it  was  voted  to  call  Mr.  Peabody,  who  had  been 
settled  over  the  little  missionary  church  in  Natick,  as  colleague 
pastor  with  Rev.  Mr.  Walter  by  a  vote  of  42  yeas  against  23 
blanks.  He  was  ordained  Pastor  Nov.  7,  1750,  nearly  two 
months  after  the  death  of  Mr.  Walter.  He  was  a  preacher 
of  acknowledged  ability,  but  his  ministry  and  his  life  were 
brief,  as  he  died  May  29, 1752,  about  a  year  and  a  half  from 
the  time  of  his  settlement.  He  was  never  married.  He 
built  the  house  situated  on  the  north  side  of  Eliot  Square, 
standing  well  back  from  the  road  and  commanding  a  fine 
view  of  Boston  in  the  rear,  which  has  since  been  tenanted 
by  his  successors  Rev.  Amos  Adams  and  Rev.  Dr.  Porter 
(Rev.  George  Putnam  boarded  there  until  his  marriage) 
and  afterwards  owned  and  occupied  by  Deacon  Charles 
Knapp  Dillaway  until  his  death.  At  the  time  of  the  siege  of 
Boston  it  was  the  headquarters  of  General  Thomas. 


REV.   AMOS   ADAMS  175 


REV.    AMOS    ADAMS 

Amos  Adams,  the  eldest  of  eleven  children  of  Henry  and 
Jemima  (Morse)  Adams,  was  born  in  Medfield,  Mass.,  Sept. 
1,  1728,  and  a  graduate  of  Harvard  College  in  1752.  He 
married  (1)  Elizabeth  Prentiss,  Oct.  18,  1753,  in  Cambridge, 
who  died  in  Aug.  1769;  (2)  Mrs.  Abigail  Mears,  Feb.  15, 1770, 
in  Roxbury,  who  died  the  next  year;  (3)  Sarah,  daughter  of 
Dr.  Charles  Chauncy  of  the  First  Church  of  Boston,  July  16, 
1771,  in  Boston. 

He  was  ordained  Pastor  of  this  church  Sept.  12,  1753. 
He  was  a  very  popular  preacher.  His  delivery  is  said  to  have^ 
been  animated  and  energetic,  his  voice  musical  and  of  great 
power.  He  was  praised  in  other  churches  as  a  very  accom- 
plished preacher,  but  many  were  disgusted  with  his  plainness 
of  speech,  the  length  of  his  discourses,  and. his  very  desultory 
observations.  All  allowed  him  to  discover  some  knowledge 
of  human  nature,  in  the  addresses  he  made  to  his  hearers. 
His  preaching  was  calculated  to  prick  the  consciences  of 
sinners,  though  they  wanted  correct  discrimination  and 
smoothness  of  period.  His  memory  was  tenacious  and  his 
reading  very  extensive.  He  was  an  ardent  patriot  from  the 
first,  earnestly  co-operating  in  the  efforts  of  the  people  to  stop 
importation  from  the  mother  country  and  to  encourage 
domestic  manufactures.  An  instance  of  the  spirit  that  per- 
vaded all  classes  at  that  time  is  found  in  the  fact  that  one 
day  in  September,  1768,  nearly  sixty  young  women  of  Roxbury 
met  together  at  the  minister's  house  and  gave  Mrs.  Adams 
the  materials  for  and  the  spinning  of  about  one  hundred 
score  of  linen  yard.  "Such  an  unusual  and  beautiful 
appearance,"  says  the  chronicler,  "drew  a  great  number  of 
spectators  from  town  and  country,  who  expressed  the  highest 


176  THE    FOURTH    MEETING   HOUSE 

satisfaction  at  such  an  example  of  industry."  He  was  scribe 
of  the  convention  of  ministers  at  Watertown,  which  in  May, 
1775,  recommended  to  the  people  to  take  up  arms. 

He  spent  his  time  and  strength  with  pleasure  in  the  service 
of  a  grateful  people,  till  by  the  distress  of  the  times,  they  were 
dispersed  and  he  himself  obliged  to  leave  his  habitation  and 
pulpit,  from  which  time  his  labors  were  increased,  but  through 
an  affection  to  the  people  of  his  charge,  he  went  through 
them  with  cheerfulness,  attending  the  small  remainder  of 
his  flock  every  Sunday,  though  his  family  was  removed  to 
a  distance  among  his  friends.  He  not  only  visited  his  own 
flock  but  the  soldiers  who  were  stationed  among  the  people 
of  his  parochial  charge.  He  died  Oct.  5, 1775,  in  Dorchester. 
At  the  time  he  was  seized  with  his  last  sickness,  the  result  of 
preaching  in  the  open  air  to  the  soldiers,  he  was  engaged  as 
chaplain  to  Col.  David  Brewer's  Ninth  Continental  Regiment 
of  900  men,  who  paid  the  funeral  honors  to  his  remains  on 
the  Saturday  following  his  death.  The  Boston  Gazette  in 
the  notice  of  his  death  says,  "  His  family  as  well  as  his  church 
and  people  now  driven  into  various  parts  of  the  country, 
refuse  to  be  comforted. " 

His  publications  never  appeared  to  satisfy  the  expectations 
of  those  who  heard  them  from  the  pulpit;  they  needed  his 
animated  delivery.  Among  his  published  sermons  are  the 
following:  —  On  the  Death  of  Madam  Lucy  Dudley,  1756; 
Artillery  Election,  1759;  Thanksgiving  for  the  Reduction  of 
Quebec,  1759;  at  the  Ordination  of  S.  Kingsbury,  1761,  and 
of  John  Wyeth,  1766;  The  Only  Hope  and  Refuge  of  Sinners, 
1767;  Dudleian  Lecture  entitled  Diocesan  Episcopacy  at 
Harvard  College,  1770;  the  manuscript  of  this  last  is  now  in 
the  library  of  the  college;  it  bears  testimony  to  the  learning 
of  the  writer.  The  discourses  which  gave  him  the  most 
reputation  were  two  upon  religious  liberty,  1767,  and  two  on 


REV.   AMOS  ADAMS  177 

the  general  fast,  April  6,  1769,  in  which  he  gave  "A  Concise 
Historical  View  of  the  Difficulties,  Hardships  and  Perils 
which  Attended  the  Planting  and  Progressive  Improvement 
in  New  England,  with  a  Particular  Account  of  its  Long  and 
Destructive  Wars,  Expensive  Expeditions,  etc. "  These  were 
reprinted  in  England  in  1770,  not  as  sermons,  but  with  the 
title  of  a  "Concise  History  of  New  England."  The  evan- 
gelical sentiments  are  curtailed.  We  see  little  more  than 
the  dry  bones  of  a  skeleton  not  well  hung  together.  All  his 
printed  discourses  are  bound  in  two  volumes,  8vo,  which  he 
presented  to  the  College  Library. 


178  THE   FOURTH    MEETING   HOUSE 


REV.  ELIPHALET  PORTER,  D.D. 

Eliphalet  Porter,  son  of  John  and  Mary  (Huntington) 
Porter,  was  born  June  11,  1758,  in  Abington,  now  North 
Bridge  water,  Mass. 

He  was  beneath  the  common  stature,  straight  and  well 
proportioned.  His  hair,  which  was  of  chestnut  color,  was 
little  if  any  changed  at  his  death.  Neither  he  nor  his  father 
ever  used  spectacles. 

He  entered  Harvard  College  in  1773  and  was  graduated 
in  1777,  the  youngest  of  three  brothers  in  the  same  class. 

He  held  ,a  highly  respectable  rank  as  a  scholar,  and  was 
distinguished  by  the  sobriety  and  correctness  of  his  habits. 
His  theological  studies  he  prosecuted  under  the  direction  of 
his  father. 

The  pulpit  of  the  First  Church  of  Roxbury  had  been 
vacant  since  the  death  of  the  Rev.  Amos  Adams  in  1775,  and, 
having  heard  various  candidates,  the  precinct  finally,  in  1782, 
extended  a  nearly  unanimous  call  (61  to  1;  that  one  vote  says 
"not  Disposed  to  concur")  to  Mr.  Porter,  of  which  in  due 
time  he  signified  his  acceptance.  He  was  ordained  Pastor 
of  this  church  Oct.  2,  1782,  the  sermon  being  preached  by 
his  venerable  father,  the  charge  delivered  by  Dr.  Samuel 
Cooper  of  Boston,  and  the  Rev.  Mr.  Abbot  of  the  second 
parish  in  Roxbury  presented  the  Right  Hand  of  Fellowship. 

His  ordination  created  considerable  opposition  from  some 
of  the  first  families  of  Roxbury.  Dr.  Williams  joined  the 
Episcopal  Church.  He  showed  a  decided  opposition  to  Dr. 
Porter  till  on  arriving  at  the  age  of  70  he  gave  a  dinner  and 
invited  Dr.  Porter  for  the  first  time  to  his  house.  Captain 
Joseph  Williams,  another  principal  opposer,  was  converted 
into  a  firm  friend  by  a  funeral  sermon  delivered  by  Dr.  Porter 


REV.    ELIPHALET   PORTER.   D.D.  179 

on  the  death  of  two  sons  of  Captain  WiUiams,  and  when  the 
Doctor  shortly  after  went  to  see  him,  he  greeted  him  most 
cordially. 

Although  in  the  pulpit  he  exhibited  few,  if  any,  of  the 
characteristics  of  a  popular  preacher  of  the  present  day,  few 
modern  preachers  are  listened  to  more  attentively  or  regarded 
with  more  reverence  than  he  was.  The  effect  he  produced 
was  not  that  of  excitement;  he  was  not  excitable  himself, 
and  was  therefore  not  likely  to  produce  excitement  in  others. 
There  was  a  calmness  and  solemnity  in  his  manner  which 
gave  to  his  discourses  a  peculiar  impressiveness.  He  was 
never  dogmatical  or  bigoted.  He  had  clear  and  settled 
opinions  on  the  controverted  points  of  theology,  and  was 
always  ready  to  sustain  them;  but  he  had  no  taste  for  con- 
troversy, and  therefore  rarely  preached  on  subjects  which 
occasioned  it. 

When  religious  disputes  were  started  he  had  a  remarkable 
faculty  of  discerning  points  of  difference,  of  allowing  to  each 
controversialist  his  proper  merit  and  of  bringing  the  subject 
to  an  amicable  decision. 

His  devotional  services  were  highly  appropriate  though 
but  little  varied. 

Of  his  pastoral  character  it  was  suited  to  the  times  in  which 
he  lived.  Frequent  visits,  for  social  intercourse  merely,  were 
not  expected;  for  these  he  had  neither  taste  nor  fitness;  his 
manners  were  grave  and  did  not  encourage  familiarity,  nor 
had  he  that  easy  flow  of  language  so  essential  to  sustain  a 
conversation  on  the  familiar  topics  of  the  day.  But  in  the 
chamber  of  the  sick,  or  wherever  there  was  affliction  which 
the  sympathies  of  a  pastor  could  alleviate,  he  was  a  constant 
and  welcome  visitor.  When  he  uttered  anything  it  was 
obvious  that  it  was  in  words  fitly  spoken. 

In  October,  1801,  he  was  married  to  Martha,  daughter  of 


180  THE   FOURTH    MEETING   HOUSE 

Major  Nathaniel  Ruggles  of  Roxbury.  She  died  without 
issue  in  December  1814. 

In  1807  he  was  honored  with  the  degree  of  Doctor  of 
Divinity  by  Harvard  College. 

Rev.  Charles  Lowell  writes  of  him  as  follows :  — 

"  My  recollections  of  Dr.  Porter  are  of  course  very  distinct. 
He  was  the  minister  of  my  childhood  at  Roxbury.  I  attended 
his  catechising,  which  was  held  once  a  year.  We  recited  the 
Assembly's  catechism.  Dr.  Porter  was  usually  taciturn  when 
I  knew  him  in  Roxbury.  I  remember  it  was  a  subject  of 
great  solicitude  with  my  sisters,  how  they  should  entertain 
him,  when  he  made  a  visit  at  our  house.  When  I  knew  him 
as  a  brother  minister,  he  bore  his  full  part  in  conversation. 
He  was  a  man  of  good  sense  and  good  judgment,  and,  in 
addition  to  this,  he  had  a  good  deal  of  what  is  termed  dry  wit 
or  humor,  though  he  looked  so  sedate,  not  to  say  grave;  and 
he  had  great  shrewdness  and  adroitness  in  parrying  a  pleasant 
thrust  at  him. 

"  He  was  on  a  visit  to  one  of  his  parishioners  one  afternoon, 
where  there  was  a  little  party  of  young  people.  The  lady  of 
the  house  told  the  Doctor,  hesitatingly,  that  the  young  folks 
would  be  glad  to  have  a  little  dance  with  the  aid  of  the  piano- 
forte, but  were  afraid  to  do  it  lest  he  should  be  offended. 
'Oh,  no,'  said  he,  'let  them  dance;  only  I  hope  they  will 
excuse  me,  as  I  have  my  boots  on.'  " 

May  31,  1810,  Dr.  Porter  preached  the  Annual  Sermon  at 
the  Convention  of  the  Congregational  Ministers  of  Massachu- 
setts, and  this  perhaps  may  be  considered  the  most  prominent 
event  of  his  life.  The  controversy  between  the  two  parties, 
known  as  the  "  orthodox  "  and  the  liberal,  was  really  at  that 
time  no  new  thing ;  but,  so  far  as  the  latter  class  at  least  were 
concerned,  it  had  rarely,  if  ever,  been  introduced  into  the 
pulpit,  especially  on  any  great  public  occasion.     Dr.  Porter, 


REV.    ELIPHALET   PORTER,   D.D.  181 

on  the  occasion  referred  to,  stepped  aside  from  the  course  of 
his  predecessors,  and,  without  making  any  very  distinct  state- 
ment of  his  own  views,  brought  out  a  bold  and  earnest  defence 
of  some  of  the  general  principles  for  which  the  liberal  party 
were  contending.  The  sermon  produced  great  excitement 
at  the  time,  and  it  has  been  acknowledged,  by  those  who 
disliked  as  well  as  those  who  liked  it,  to  be  the  ablest  of 
Dr.  Porter's  printed  productions.  It  is  important  now,  chiefly 
as  having  marked  a  sort  of  epoch  in  the  controversy  and  as 
indicating  the  then  existing  state  of  theological  opinion. 

The  subject  of  the  Discourse  was  "  The  Simplicity  that  is 
in  Christ,  and  the  Danger  of  its  being  corrupted." 

Its  general  spirit  and  character  may  be  sufficiently  indicated 
by  the  following  extract :  — 

But  it  will  be  asked  if  the  simple  proposition  which  has  been  mentioned 
(Jesus  of  Nazareth  is  the  Christ)  is  all  that  we  have  to  demand  in  the  way 
of  Gospel  belief.  What  are  we  to  think  of  those  articles  of  faith  which  have 
been  long  received  in  the  Church,  and  considered,  perhaps  generally,  as 
fundamentals,  and  essential  to  be  believed  ?  What  are  we  to  think,  not  of 
those  doctrines  which  have  been  exploded  bj^  Protestants,  and  which  have 
had,  and  now  have,  their  turn  of  being  viewed  as  essential,  more  extensively 
than  any  others;  but  of  those  disputed  articles  of  faith  which  have  been 
retained  or  taught  and  required  in  the  Catechisms  and  Confessions  of  Protes- 
tant and  Reformed  Churches,  and  in  particular  among  ourselves?  Or,  to 
be  more  exphcit  still,  for  I  wish  to  be  understood,  what  are  we  to  think  of 
the  doctrines  of  original  sin  and  total  depravity;  of  imputation  of  sin  and 
righteousness;  of  a  trinity  in  unity;  of  the  mere  hmnanity,  superangelical 
nature  or  absolute  Deity  of  Christ;  of  particular  and  general  redemption; 
of  unconditional  decrees  of  personal  election  and  reprobation;  of  moral 
inabihty,  and  the  total  passiveness  of  man  in  regeneration;  of  the  special 
and  irresistible  operation  of  the  Holy  Spirit;  of  perseverance,  or  the  impossi- 
bihty  of  the  believer's  total  apostacy ;  and,  to  mention  no  more,  the  absolute 
eternity  of  the  torments  to  which  the  wicked  will  be  sentenced  at  the  last  day. 

My  individual  belief  in  respect  to  the  truth  or  error  of  these  points,  can  be 
of  but  little  importance,  and  my  subject  no  way  requires  that  it  should  be 
given.  It  rather  becomes  me  to  follow  the  example  which  has  been  some- 
times set  by  learned  judges  on  the  bench,  when  difficult  questions  suggested 
themselves,  but  whose  decision  the  main  subject  before  them  did  not  require; 


182  THE    FOURTH    MEETING   HOUSE 

and  prudently  say,  —  Neque  teneo,  neque  refello.  But  it  is  pertinent  to 
the  object  of  tliis  discourse,  and  consonant  to  my  serious  and  deliberate 
conviction,  to  observe  that  I  cannot  place  my  finger  on  any  one  article  in  the 
list  of  doctrines  just  mentioned,  the  belief  or  the  rejection  of  which  I  con- 
sider as  essential  to  the  Christian  faith  or  character. 

I  believe  that  an  innumerable  company  of  Christians  who  never  heard  of 
these  articles,  or  who  were  di\ided  in  their  opinions  respecting  them,  have 
fallen  asleep  in  Jesus;  and  that  innumerable  of  the  same  description  are 
following  after. 

Rev.  Dr.  A.  C.  Thompson  in  his  EHot  Memorial  says, 
"  The  transition  of  this  church  from  its  Calvinistic  attitude 
to  Liberahsm  appears  to  have  taken  place  at  the  close  of 
the  eighteenth  century  and  the  first  years  of  the  nineteenth. 
This  sermon  was  among  the  earlier  public  disclosures  of 
a  change  which  had  been  quietly  going  on  in  this  neighbor- 
hood." 

As  a  citizen,  his  influence  was  widely  and  beneficially 
felt.  A  man  so  distinguished  for  great  practical  wisdom 
as  he  was,  could  not  escape  frequently  calls  for  his  counsel 
and  assistance  in  the  secular  affairs  of  the  town.  In  the 
support  and  management  of  institutions  for  objects  of 
charity,  or  for  the  promotion  of  education  and  religion,  his 
services  and  counsels  were  conspicuously  useful  and  in  con- 
stant request.  The  various  ofiices  of  trust,  to  which  he  was 
called,  were  fulfilled  with  a  characteristic  caution,  prudence, 
and  fidelity,  which  obtained  and  justified  unlimited  confi- 
dence. 

He  was  a  highly  valued  member  of  the  Overseers  of  Har- 
vard University,  and  in  1818  was  elected  a  Fellow  of  the 
University  and  until  his  death  a  member  of  the  Corporation. 
The  period  of  his  connection  with  this  institution  was  one  of 
great  difficulty,  and  he  took  his  full  share  of  the  labors  and 
responsibilities  incident  to  his  official  position.  His  affection 
for  the  college  was  ardent  and  constant.     The  notice  of  his 


REV.   ELIPHALET   PORTER,  D.D.  183 

death  on  the  records  of  the  Corporation  manifests  their 
strong  sense  of  "  the  great  loss  our  Hterary  and  rehgious  com- 
munity have  sustained  by  the  death  of  this  learned  divine  and 
exemplary  Christian,  whose  intelligence,  fidelity  and  zeal 
in  support  of  the  interests  of  literature,  and  especially  of 
those  connected  with  the  prosperity  of  Harvard  University, 
they  have  had  uniform  occasion  to  witness  during  the 
many  years  he  has  been  one  of  the  members  of  this  Board." 

By  his  will  he  bequeathed  one  thousand  dollars  to  the 
Theological  School  of  Harvard  College. 

He  was  Treasurer  for  many  years  of  the  Massachusetts 
Congregational  Charitable  Society,  whose  funds  are  appro- 
priated to  the  support  of  ministers'  widows  and  orphans. 
In  this  trust  he  gave  great  satisfaction.  He  was  an  original 
trustee  of  the  Massachusetts  Bible  Society  founded  in  1809. 
He  was  among  the  founders  of  the  Society  for  the  Suppres- 
sion of  Intemperance.  For  many  years  he  was  moderator  of 
the  Boston  Association,  by  whom  he  was  greatly  valued  for 
judicious  counsel.  He  continued  his  stated  labors  with- 
out much  interruption  till  he  was  past  seventy,  when  it  be- 
came apparent  to  both  himself  and  others  that  his  strength 
was  inadequate  to  the  full  discharge  of  the  duties  of  his 
office.  Accordingly  it  was  agreed  that  he  should  have  a 
colleague;  and  Mr.  George  Putnam  was  called  and  settled, 
with  his  hearty  approbation.  The  relations  which  existed 
between  the  Senior  and  Junior  Pastors  were  mutually  kind 
and  agreeable,  and  when  the  former  died,  the  latter,  in  a 
Funeral  Discourse,  rendered  a  warm  and  grateful  tribute  to 
the  memory  of  his  venerated  friend.  During  the  three  and 
one-half  years  he  had  a  colleague  he  preached  but  eleven 
sermons. 

The  7^^  of  October,   1832,  the  Sabbath  next  succeeding 
the  completion  of  fifty  years  of  his  ministry,   Dr.   Porter 


184  THE   FOURTH    MEETING   HOUSE 

preached  a  sermon  containing  some  historical  sketches  of  his 
parish,  and  particularly  a  review  of  his  own  ministerial 
labors.  Having  referred  to  his  Ordination  he  says :  — 
The  solemn  transactions  of  that  day  were  adapted  to  excite 
reflection,  lead  to  resolutions,  and  make  impressions  on  the 
mind,  which  half  a  century  ought  not,  and,  as  the  speaker 
trusts,  has  not,  wholly  effaced  from  his  mind.  But  he 
laments  that  they  have  not  had  a  more  constant,  powerful 
and  salutary  effect  on  his  life  and  labors.  He  laments 
that  he  has  not  better  fulfilled  the  ministry  he  received  of 
the  Lord,  and  better  performed  his  vows.  A  sense  of  his 
many  neglects,  and  defects  in  duty,  he  can  truly  say,  is  the 
greatest  burden  of  his  life;  and  he  would  this  day  humble 
himself  before  God,  and  in  the  presence  of  the  great  con- 
gregation, for  his  want  of  greater  diligence  and  activity, 
constancy,  faithfulness,  and  zeal,  in  the  discharge  of  the 
work  given  him  to  do. 

His  death  occurred  on  Saturday,  December  7,  1833,  and 
his  funeral  was  attended  on  the  succeeding  Wednesday,  by 
a  large  concourse.  The  sermon,  by  his  surviving  colleague, 
was  from  Genesis  xxv,  8,  and  was  published.  A  list  of  his 
publications  includes:  Thanksgiving  Discourse  of  the 
Peace,  1783;  Discourse  to  the  Roxbury  Charitable  Society, 
1794;  Fast  Discourse,  1798;  Sermon  on  the  Death  of  Gov. 
Sumner,  1799;  Eulogy  on  Washington,  1800;  Discourse 
before  the  Humane  Society,  1802;  Sermon  at  the  Ordina- 
tion of  Rev.  Charles  Lowell,  Jan.  1,  1806;  Before  Society 
for  Propagating  the  Gospel,  Nov.  5,  1807;  Convention  Ser- 
mon, May  31,  1810;  Artillery  Election  Sermon,  June  1, 
1812;  Sermon  at  the  Ordination  of  Rev.  J.  G.  Palfrey, 
June  17,  1818. 


DEACONS  185 


DEACONS 

Mr.  Edward  Ruggles,  see  Second  Meeting  House. 
Mr.  Samuel  Gridley,  see  Second  Meeting  House. 
Mr.  Stephen  Williams,  son  of  Capt.  Stephen  and  Mary 
(Capen)  Williams,  b.  in  Roxbury  March  9,  1701/2,  died  there 
m  1773;  m.  Sarah  Payson.  Ordained  Deacon  Dec.  23, 
1753,  and  served  until  his  death.  He  was  owner  of  Pew 
No.  26  in  the  Third  Meeting  House. 

Mr.  Ebenezer  Craft,  son  of  Ebenezer  and  Elizabeth 
(Weld)  Craft,  b.  in  Roxbury  May  22,  1705;  died  there  Sept. 
1,  1791;  m.  Susanna  White.  A  cordwainer  by  trade  and 
also  extensively  engaged  in  farming.  He  was  a  large 
land  owner  in  Roxbury  and  adjoining  towns.  Ordained 
Deacon  Dec.  23,  1753,  and  served  until  his  death.  He 
was  owner  of  Pew  No.  18  in  the  Third  Meeting  House. 

Mr.  William  Gridley,    son    of    Samuel    and  

Gridley,  b.  in  Roxbury  in  1732;  buried  there  Dec.  15,  1786; 

m.    Lydia  .     Ordained   Deacon   Apr.    4,  1773,  and 

served  until  his  death. 

Mr.  Samuel  Sumner,  son  of  John  and  Susannah  (Stevens) 
Sumner,  b.  in  Roxbury,  Dec.  29,  1732;  died  there  Oct.  11, 
1813;  m.  (1)  Susannah  Boylston,  (2)  Elizabeth  Bugbee. 
He  was  active  in  town  affairs  and  one  of  the  Committee  of 
Correspondence  in  the  Revolution.  Ordained  Deacon 
May  14,  1779,  and  served  until  his  death.  He  was  owner 
of  Pew  91  in  the  Fifth  Meeting  House. 

Mr.  David  Weld,  son  of  Daniel  and  Elizabeth  (Tucker) 
Weld,  b.  in  1734;  d.  in  1821;  m.  Sarah  Davis.  He  held 
various  town  offices.  Representative.  One  of  the  Com- 
mittee of  Correspondence  in  the  Revolution.  Collector  in 
1785.  Ordained  Deacon  Dec.  5,  1785,  and  served  until  his 
death. 


186  THE   FOURTH    MEETING   HOUSE 

Mr.  Nehemiah  Munroe,  son  of  William  and  Sarah 
(Mason)  Munroe,  b.  in  Roxbury,  July  1,  1747;  d.  there 
Aug.  2,  1828;  m.  Avis  Hammond.  Cabinet  maker.  Held 
town  offices.  Trustee  of  the  Roxbury  Latin  School.  Mem- 
ber of  the  Parish  Committee.  Ordained  Deacon  March  9, 
1787,  and  served  until  his  death.  Owner  of  Pew  No.  71, 
Fifth  Meeting  House. 

Mr.  Joshua  Felton,  son  of  Nathaniel  and  Anna  (Jacobs) 
Felton,  b.  in  Roxbury,  March  21,  1743;  died  there  Dec.  17, 
1816;  m.  (1)  Mary  Wardell,  (2)  Mrs.  Lois  Pattee.  Black- 
smith. It  is  said  he  attended  church  every  Sunday,  except 
one-half  day,  for  37  years.  He  kept  a  diary  of  every  event 
that  transpired  in  Roxbury  for  many  years.  Member  of  the 
Standing  Committee  of  the  Roxbury  Charitable  Society. 
Ordained  Deacon  June  10,  1787,  and  served  until  his  death. 
Owner  of  Pew  No.  60,  Lower  Floor,  Fifth  Meeting  House. 

CHURCH  MEMBERS 

According  to  the  church  records  the  Parish  Committee 
gave  notice  that  they  had  a  plan  of  the  situation  of  the 
pews  in  this  meeting  house,  but  this  plan  cannot  be  found. 
Few  transfers  of  pews  can  be  found  on  the  records,  the 
earliest  being  dated  Nov.  25,  1788,  and  there  are  only  three 
instances  where  the  exact  situation  of  each  pew  is  known. 
Li  1802  there  were  68  pews  on  the  floor  and  eight  square 
pews  in  the  galleries. 

Feb.  1,  1746/7.    John  Williams. 
May  24,  1747.     Katharine  Williams. 
Jmie  28,  1747.     John  Salmon. 
Aug.  29,  1747.     Jeane  Linsdey. 
Nov.  21,  1747.  — 

Mary  Manser. 

Rebecca  Bidford. 
Jan.  3,  1747/8.     Samuel  Williams. 


CHURCH   MEMBERS  187 

Jan.  17,  1747/8.     Anne  Tucker. 

Mch.  20,  1747/8.    Phillis,  negro  servant  of  Mr.  Stedman. 

Sept.  25,  1748.    Lydia  Gamut. 

Oct.  22,  1748.  — 

Daniel  Sever. 

Abiel  Sever. 
Nov.  11,  1748.    Joseph  Bodoono. 
Feb.  26,  1748/9.  — 

Thomas  Cheney. 

Deborah  Cheney. 
Nov.  5,  1749.     Joseph  Ruggles. 
June  30,  1750.  — 

Samuel  Weld. 

Ebenezer  Pierepont,  Jr. 

John  Williams,  Jr. 

Oliver  Peabody,  Jr.,  our  Pastor. 
Feb.  24,  1750/1.    John  Richards. 
Mch.  10,  1750/1.  — 

John  Dean. 

Edward  King. 
Apr.  28,  1751.  — 

Katharine  Ruggles. 

Mary  Smith. 
May  5,  1751.     Edward  Kelton. 
July  21,  1751.    Obadiah  Coohdge. 
Aug.  11,  1751.  — 

Dorothy  Holbrook. 

Ann  Wilhams. 
Oct.  6,  1751.    Thomas  Dana. 
Jan.  19,  1751/2.     Jonathan  Sever. 
Sept.  12,  1753.    Amos  Adams,  our  Pastor. 
Sept.  23,  1753.  — 

Jeremiah  Mosher. 

Isabel  Mosher,  his  wife. 
Oct.  14,  1753.    Edmund  Weld. 
Nov.  11,  1753.  — 

Abigail  Reves. 

Abigail  Bosson. 
Nov.  18,  1753.     Joseph  Howard. 
Dec.  23,  1753.    Deacon  Stephen  Williams,  recomd. 
Dec.  30,  1753.     Sarah  Weld. 

Jan.  27,  1754.     Isaac  Gardiner  of  Brookline,  H.C.  1747. 
June  16,  1754.    Mary  Shorthef,  wife  of  Henry. 


188  THE   FOURTH    MEETING   HOUSE 

July  14,  1754.     Joseph  Williaxas,  Jr. 

Sept.  29,  1754.     John  Hewet. 

Oct.  6,  1754.     Jonas  Meriam,  H.C.  1753.    Settled  over  Church  in  Newton. 

Dec.  22,  1754.    John  Slack. 

Feb.  16,  1755.  — 

Elizabeth  Williams. 

Anna  Williams. 
Apr.  20,  1755.  — 

Anne  Pierpont. 

Mary  Pierpont. 
Jime  8,  1755.    Hannah  Wilhams. 
Jime  15,  1755.    Jane  Williams. 
June  22,  1755.  — 

William  Heath. 

Prudence  Heath. 
June  29,  1755.    Jeremiah  Williams. 
Sept.  7,  1755.  — 

Jeremiah  Parker. 

Martha  Parker. 
Dec.  21,  1755.    Sarah  Prince. 
Dec.  28,  1755.    Ann  McClure. 
Jan.  18,  1756.    Eleanor  Bosson,  wife  of  John. 
Feb.  22,  1756.  — 

Ebenezer  Cheney. 

Mary  Seaver. 

Susannah  Seaver. 
Mch.  21,  1756.  — 

Ebenezer  May. 

Sarah  DufF. 

Elizabeth  Walker. 
Apr.  17,  1756.  — 

Increase  Sumner,  b.  June  9,  1713;  d.  Nov.  28,  1774;  m.  Sarah  Sharp. 
Farmer,  selectman.  Coroner  for  the  County  of  Suffolk,  Father  of 
Governor  Increase  Sumner. 

Job  Walker. 
April  18,  1756.    Fortime,  a  negro  man  belonging  to  Capt.  Newell. 
May  16,  1756.  — 

Margaret  Swan. 

Hannah  Whitney. 

Margaret  Sewall. 

Dinah,  a  negro  woman  belonging  to  Deacon  Crafts. 
June  13,  1756.  — 

Sarah  Bishop,  dismissed  to  Uxbridge. 


CHURCH   MEMBERS  189 

Jonathan  HaU,  dismissed  from  Medford  Church,  and  dismissed  to 

Chm-ch  in  Hadley  in  1771. 
Mercy  Hall,  dismissed  from  Medford  Church. 
July  11,  1756.     Mary  Seaver. 
Aug.  1,  1756.  — 
John  Searl. 
Margret  Searl. 
Aug.  7,  1756.    Abigail  Parker. 
Sept.  5,  1756.    Sarah  Prentice. 
Sept.  12,  1756.  — 

William  Gridley,  see  Deacons. 
Lydia  Gridley. 

Keturah,  a  negro  woman  belonging  to  Thos.  Seaver. 
Oct.  31,  1756.  — 
Mary  Grigs. 
Sarah  Doubt. 

William  Heath,  jun.,  b.  Mch.  7, 1737;  d.  Jan.  24,  1814;  m.  Sarah  Lock- 
wood.     Lived  on  his  ancestral  farm  settled  upon  by  William  Heath 
in  1632.     Capt.  and  then  Col.  of  the  Suffolk  Regiment.     Commander 
of  the  Ancient  and  Honorable  Artillery  Co.  in  1770.     Member  of  the 
General  Assembly.     Member  of  the  Committee  of  Correspondence 
and  Safety,  Member  of  the  Provincial  Congress  1774-5.     On  Dec. 
8,  1774,  he  was  commissioned  provincial  brigadier  general  and  was 
the  only  general  ofBcer  on  the  field  at  the  battle  of  Lexington,  Apr. 
19,  1775,  and  as  such  directed  the  piu-suit  of  Earl  Percy.     Promoted 
Major  General,  then  Brigadier  General  and  Major  General  of  the 
Continental  Army.     Member  of  the  convention  of  Mass.  that  adopted 
the  Federal  Constitution.    State  Senator.    Probate  Judge.     Owner 
of  Pew  No.  76,  Lower  Floor,  Fifth  Meeting  House. 
Nov.  7,  1756.  — 
Samuel  Woods. 
Mercy  Woods,  wife  of  Samuel. 
Dec.  12,  1756.    Ehzabeth  Williams. 
Feb.  6,  1757.    Sarah  Muncrief. 
Mch.  20,  1757.     James  Orr. 
April  10,  1757.  — 
Solomon  Ayers. 

Elizabeth  Ayers,  wife  of  Solomon. 
April  17,  1757.  — 
John  Dinsdill. 
Abigail  Dinsdill,  wife  of  John. 


190  THE   FOURTH   MEETING   HOUSE 

May  1,  1757.  — 

Joseph  Weld. 

Mary  Weld. 
May  22,  1757.    Mary  Benjamin. 
July  31,  1757.  — 

William  Blaney. 

Ebenezer  Davis. 

Sarah  Davis, 
Jan.  15,  1758.  — 

Moses  Winchester. 

Mary  Winchester,  wife  of  Moses. 
June  11,  1758.  — 

Elizabeth  Stevens. 

Hannah  Stevens. 
July  9,  1758.     William  Kerpont. 
Oct.  1,  1758.  — 

Mary  Bass. 

Sarah  Gore. 
Nov.  26,  1758.  — 

Samuel  Sumner,  Jr.,  see  Deacons. 

Susannah  Sumner,  wife  of  Samuel. 
Dec.  3,  1758.     John  Mears. 
Dec.  24,  1758.  — 

Joseph  WilUams. 

Mary  Williams. 
Apr.  2,  1759.     James  Mears. 
Oct.  28,  1759.     Mary  Chamberlayn, 
Jan.  13,  1760.     Sarah  Heath. 
Feb.  10,  1760.  — 

Joseph  Worsley. 

Benjamin  Pierpont. 
Feb.  17,  1760.  — 

Thomas  RajTnour. 

Mary  Raymour,  wife  of  Thomas. 

Ebenezer  Dorr,  member  of  Committee  of  G)rrespondence  and  Safety. 

Anne  Dorr. 

James  How. 

Ebenezer  Pierpont. 
Aug.  3,  1760.     Jane  Poster. 
Aug.  31,  1760.    Isaac  Curtiss. 
Oct.  26,  1760.  — 

Anne  Curtiss. 

Thaddeus  Partridge. 


CHURCH    MEMBERS  191 

Apr.  12,  1761.     Jane  Partridge. 
June  7,  1761.     Thomas  Williams. 
June  21,  1761.     Richard  Fox, 
July  5,  1761.— 

Sarah  Williams. 

Rebecca  Winslow. 
Aug.  2,  1761.  — 

Joseph  Payson. 

Abigail  Payson. 
Sept.  13, 1761.    Aaron  Davis,  b.  Oct.  18, 1735;  d.  Oct.  12, 1773;  m.  Susannah 
Craft.     A  merchant  on  Long  Wharf,  Boston,  as  well  as  in  Roxbury 
with  his  brother  Moses  Davis.     Captain  First  Train  of  Artillery. 
Member  Precinct  Committee  March  27,  1771. 
Oct.  4,  1761.     William  Thompson. 
Dec.  13,  1761.     Robert  WiUiams. 
Dec.  27,  1761.     Enoch  Hancock. 
Jan.  17,  1762.  — 

Caleb  Hayward,  dismissed  to  Milton.  * 

Susannah  Davis,  wife  of  Aaron. 
Mch.  14,  1762.     Richard  Robinson. 
May  29,  1762.     Henry  Payson. 
June  6,  1762.     William  Patrick. 
Sept.  26,  1762.     Phillip  Searle. 

Oct.  3,  1762.     Tobias,  a  negro  man  belonging  to  William  Williams. 
Oct.  17,  1762.  — 

Nicholas  Seaver. 

Mary  Seaver. 

Deborah  Searle. 

Ruth  Searle. 
Nov.   21,   1762.    Ebenezer  Williams,   H.  C.   1760.     Taught  in  the  Free 
Schoole    1761-3.     Dismissed   from   his   Pastoral   Relation   to   this 
church  Oct.  20,  1765,  and  recommended  to  Fahnouth. 
April  10,  1763.  — 

Daniel  Bugbee  jr. 

Mary  Bugbee. 
June  26,  1763.     Jonathan  Parker,  farmer,  a  member  of  the  Boston  Tea 
Party,  &  one  of  those  to  Secret  two  cannon  belonging  to  the  British 
Artillery  taken  from  the  gun-house  on  Boston  Common. 
Oct.  23,  1763.  — 

Thomas  Dana. 

Martha  Dana. 
Nov.  20,  1763.  — 

John  Slack. 

Elizabeth  Slack. 


192  THE   FOURTH   MEETING   HOUSE 

Jan.  15,  1764.     Stephen  Williams. 
Feb.  12,  1764.     Hannah  Woodward. 
April  8,  1764.  — 

Mehitable  Shirley. 

Theoda  Williams,  wife  of  Stephen. 

Elizabeth  Simmer, 
May  6,  1764.  — 

Mary  Parker. 

Ann  Mears. 

John  Bowen. 

Mehitable  Bowen. 
Aug.  26,  1764.  — 

Daniel  Bugbee. 

Joseph  Williams,  b.  June  23,  1738;  d.  Mch.  5,  1822;  m.  (1)  Susannah 
May,  (2)  Mercy  Da\as.  Called  Captain.  Member  Precinct  Com- 
mittee Apr.  14,  1783.  Owner  of  Pew  No.  26,  Lower  Floor,  Fifth 
Meeting  House. 

Susannah  Williams,  wife  of  Joseph. 
Oct.  7,  1764.    Ishmael  and  Venus,  negro  servants  of  Joseph  Ruggles. 
Oct.  28,  1764.     Sarah  Fellows. 
Nov.  18,  1764.  — 

Moses  Dorr. 

Eleanor  Dorr. 
Mch.  10,  1765.    Deborah  Bosson. 
April  7,  1765.     William  Bugbee. 
May  5,  1765.     John  Brewer. 
May  26,  1765.    Abijah  Seaver. 
June  9,  1765.     Paul  Gore. 
Feb.  2,  1766.     Daniel  Tombes. 
Mch.  23,  1766.     James  Cornish. 
Apr.  13,  1766.     James  Bird. 

July  20,  1766.    Noah  Davis,  dismissed  to  Second  Church  in  Roxbury. 
July  27,  1766.  — 

Benjamin  May. 

Mary  May. 
Aug.  24,  1766.    Elizabeth  Davis. 
Aug.  31,  1766.     Andrew  Floyd. 
Oct.  19,  1766.     Elizabeth  Johnson. 
Nov.  23,  1766.  — 

Joshua  Felton,  see  Deacons. 

Mary  Thompson. 
Dec.  21,  1766.    Phillis,  negro  woman  of  Capt.  John  Williams. 
Feb.  15,  1767.    Eliphalet  Downer. 


CHURCH   MEMBERS  193 

Apr.  5,  1767.  — 

Elizabeth  Davis. 
Abigail  Davis. 
Abigail  Parker. 
May  3,  1767.     Brill  Johnson. 
May  10,  1767.    Mary  Doyle. 
Aug.  30,  1767.     Joseph  Smith. 
Sept.  13,  1767.    Benjamin  Baker. 
Oct.  25,  1767.     Joseph  Mmicrieff. 
Dec.  13,  1767.  — 
Sarah  Gridley. 
Martha  Gridley. 
Susannah  Gridley. 
Feb.  7,  1768.    Hannah  Pierpont. 
Feb.  28,  1768.     James  Gould. 
March  27,  1768.    Hannah  How. 
Aug.  2,  1768.  — 

Major  Nathaniel  Ruggles,  son  of  Capt.  Samuel  and  Martha  (\\'^ood- 
bridge)  Ruggles,  b.  in  Roxbiuy  abt.  1748;  died  there  Jan.  14,  1780; 
m.  Martha  Williams,  known  as  "Aunt  Major."     They  were   the 
parents  of  Mrs.  Martha  Porter,  wife  of  Rev.  Eliphalet  Porter,  D.D. 
Major  of  the  Suffolk  Regiment  in  1772.    FUled  many  important 
public  stations.     Especially  attentive  to  the  wants  of  the  soldiers  in 
Roxbury.    His  house,  cor.  EUot  Square  and  Highland  St.,  was  the 
Headquarters  of  the  army  officers  during  the  siege  of  Boston.    Owner 
of  Pew  No.  18,  Lower  Floor,  Fifth  Meeting  House. 
Martha  Ruggles,  wife  of  Major  Nathaniel  Ruggles. 
Rebecca  Ruggles. 
Aug.  7,  1768.    Mary  Bosson. 
Aug.  28,  1768.  — 
Francis  Dana. 
Robert  Champney. 
Sept.  18,  1768.    Sarah  Coolege. 
Sept.  25,  1768.     Samuel  Heath. 
Dec.  18,  1768.     Richard  Rowen. 
Mch.  5,  1769.  — 
Peleg  Heath. 
Patience  Heath. 
Mch.  23,  1769.    Martha  Mills. 
Apr.  2,  1769.    John  Bowen. 
Apr.  30,  1769.  — 
John  Pierpont. 
Nathaniel  Eaton. 


194  THE   FOURTH    MEETING   HOUSE 

July  15,  1769.    Hannah  Tucker. 
July  23,  1769. 

Joseph  Heath. 

Martha  Dana. 
Aug.  20,  1769.  — 

Increase  Sumner,  b.  Nov.  27, 1746;  d.  June  7, 1799;  m.  Elizabeth  Hyslop. 
H.  C.  1767.  Taught  in  the  Free  Schoole  1768-1770.  Lawyer.  Rep- 
resentative. Senator  for  Suffolk  Comity.  Elected  to  Congress  in 
1782,  but  declined  the  position.  Associate  Justice  of  the  Supreme 
Judicial  Court  of  Mass.     Governor  of  the  State  of  Massachusetts. 

Samuel  Cheney,  H.  C.  1767. 

Lydia  Coolidge. 
Sept.  17,  1769.    Mary  Felton. 
Oct.  8,  1769.  — 

Thomas  Weld. 

Abigail  Dow. 

Deborah  Cheney. 

Abigail  Mears. 

Catherine  Parker. 

John  Davis  Williams,  b.  Dec.  25,  1739;  d.  May  26,  1807;  m.  Hannah 
Davis.  Farmer.  The  farm  he  occupied  was  originally  owned  by 
his  emigrant  ancestor,  Robert  Williams,  and  on  it  originated  the 
Williams  Favorite  apple.  One  of  a  committee  of  seven  to  petition 
Lt.  Gov.  Hutchinson  for  removal  of  troops.  Owner  of  Pew  No.  4, 
Lower  Floor,  Fifth  Meeting  House. 

Hannah  Williams,  w.  of  John  Davis  Williams. 

John  Williams,  b.  May  27,  1744;  d.  June  19,  1809;  m.  Mary  Sumner. 
Merchant.     Owner  of  Pew  No.  39,  Lower  Floor,  Fifth  Meeting  House. 

Mary  Williams,  wife  of  John. 
Oct.  8,  1769.  — 

Priscilla  Craft. 

Sarah  Craft. 

John  Graeton,  son  of  John  Graeton,  the  last  landlord  of  the  Greyhound 
Tavern,  and  Catherine  (Lenton)  Graeton,  bap.  March  10,  1740/1 ; 
d.  Dec.  16,  1783 ;  m.  Sarah  Hmnpreys.  A  prominent  Son  of  Liberty. 
Served  in  the  battle  of  Lexington.  Lieut,  of  the  Governor's  Guard. 
Major,  Lt.  Col.  &  Col.  of  Col.  Heath's  regiment.  Afterwards 
commissioned  Brigadier  General. 

Sarah  Graeton,  wife  of  John. 
Nov.  12,  1769.  — 

Anne  Williams. 

Mary  Smith. 

Rebecca  Champney. 

Clarissa  Kent. 


CHURCH    MEMBERS  195 


Dec.  10,  1769.     Mary  Hayward. 
Feb.  4,  1770.    Lemuel  May. 
Mch.  4,  1770.  — 

Joshua  Bowen.  » 

Joshua  Bradley. 

Sarah  Bradley. 

Mary  Gore. 
Apr.  1,  1770.  — 

Nathaniel  Felton,  member  of  Committee  of  Correspondence  and 
Safety. 

Mary  Felton.. 
Apr.  29,  1770.    Mary  Shed. 
Dec.  2,  1770.  — 

Moses  Davis,  b.  Apr.  29, 1744  ;d.  June  2, 1823  ;m.  (1)  Hannah  Pierpont, 
(2)  Rebecca  Sharp.  Merchant.  A  partner  of  his  brother  Aaron 
Davis.  A  soldier  of  the  Revolution.  Member  of  the  Parish  Com- 
mittee Nov.  11,  1793.  Owner  of  Pew  No.  66,  Lower  Floor,  Fifth 
Meeting  House. 

Harmah  Williams. 

Mary  Newell. 
Dec.  16,  1770.     Samuel  Gore. 
Feb.  3,  1771.     Abigail  Newell. 
Feb.  10,  1771.     Ebenezer  Wales. 
Feb.  24,  1771.  — 

Benjamin  Cotterel. 

Mary  Cotterel,  w.  of  Benjamin. 
Mch.  10,  1771.    Anne  Johnson. 
Oct.  13,  1771.  — 

Jemima  Winslow. 

Sarah  Williams. 

Abigail  Wilhams. 
Nov.  10,  1771.    Abigail  Whitney. 
Jan.  5,  1772.  — 

Samuel  Langley. 

Esther  (Mayo)  Langley,  wife  of  Samuel. 
Mch.  28,  1772.     Lucy  Sumner. 
Apr.  12,  1772.     Samuel  Whittemore,  jr. 
Apr.  26,  1772.     James  White. 
May  24,  1772.  — 

Margaret  Seaver. 

Samuel  Bowen. 

Mary  Bowen. 

Elizabeth  Adams. 


196  THE   FOURTH   MEETING   HOUSE 

July  5, 1772.    Aaron  Blaney. 
Aug.  16,  1772.  — 

Stephen  Williams,  b.  Dec.  16,  1746;  d.  1807;  m.  (1)  Mary  Langdon, 
(2)  Lois  Cunningham.    Town  Clerk  of  Roxbury.    Tin  ware  mer- 
chant.    His  property  was  destroyed  by  the  British  during  the  Revolu- 
tion and  he  became  a  farmer  at  Canterbury,  now  Forest  Hills,  later 
resuming  his  old  business.    Owner  of  Pew  No.  37,  Lower  Floor, 
Fifth  Meeting  House. 
Mary  Wilhams,  wife  of  Stephen. 
Sept.  27,  1772.  — 
Samuel  Croxfort. 

John  Ward,  b.  Dec.  6,  1748;  d.  Apr.  29,  1828;  m.  (1)  Martha  Shed, 
(2)  Mrs.    Elizabeth    (Ruggles)    Brewer.    Fanner.     Owner  of   Pew 
No.  11,  Lower  Floor,  Fifth  Meeting  House. 
Oct.  4,  1772.  — 

Nathaniel  Scott,  m.  Sally .    Manufacturer.    Owner  of  Pew  No. 

63,  Lower  Floor,  Fifth  Meeting  House. 
Stephen  Jennings. 
Mary  Jennings. 
Nov.  8,  1772.    Mary  Cheney. 
Feb.  7,  1773.  — 
Noah  Parker. 
Eleanor  Parker. 
Feb.  28,  1773. — 
Caleb  Hayward. 
Catherine  Williams. 
Mch.  21,  1773.    Enoch  Hyde. 
Apr.  25,  1773.  — 
Job  Bearce. 
Abigail  Parker. 
Sarah  Parker. 
May  23,  1773.  — 
Thomas  Clark. 

Ebenezer  Bugbee,  b.  Jan.  28, 1750/1 ;  d.  Jan.  12,  1834 ;  m.  Mary  White. 
Cmrier.    Owner  of  Pew  No.  49,  Lower  Floor,  Fifth  Meeting  House. 
Aug.  22,  1773.     Nathan  Shed. 
Nov.  7,  1773.  — 

Charles  Belknap. 
Mary  Belknap. 
Jan.  4,  1774.     Rev.  Jonathan  Bowman,  dismissed  from  Dorchester. 
Jan.  30,  1774.  — 
Sarah  Kelton. 
Anna  Pike. 


CHURCH    MEMBERS  197 

Feb.  20,  1774.     John  Whitney. 
Mch.  27,  1774.  — 

Joanna  Williams. 

Hannah  Hunt. 
Apr.  17,  1774.     Joseph  Payson. 
May  22,  1774.  — 

Levy  Whitman. 

Patty  Howard,  dismissed  from  Pomfret. 
Oct.  9,  1774.  — 

Benjamin  Stevens. 

William  Felton. 

Eunice  Felton. 

Anna  Pierpont. 

Mary  Pierpont. 

James  Ireland. 
Nov.  6,  1774.  — 

Nathaniel  Healy. 

Joseph  Ruggles,  son  of  Capt.  Joseph  and  Rebecca  (Curtis)  Ruggles,  b. 
Dec.  16,  1750;  d.  May  15,  1811 ;  m.  Joanna  Williams.  Lived  where 
the  Norfolk  House  now  stands.  He  and  his  brother  Nathaniel  kept 
the  store  next  to  the  Parsonage.  Parish  Treasurer.  Member  of 
Parish  Committee.  Member  of  Roxbury  Charitable  Society.  Owner 
of  Pew  No.  94,  Lower  Floor,  Fifth  Meeting  House. 

Sarah  Ruggles. 

Samuel  Weld. 
Dec.  4,  1774.  — 

Samuel  Heath. 

Mary  Heath. 
Dec.  25,  1774.     Joseph  Richardson. 
Jan.  1,  1775.    Elizabeth  WiUiams. 
Jan.  22,  1775.     James  Howe. 
Feb.  12,  1775.     Daniel  Brown. 
Mch.  5   1775.  — 

Ephraim  Hyde. 

Abigail  Hyde. 
Apr.  9,  1775.  — 

Adam  Patty. 

Louis  Patty. 
June  13,  1779.  — 

Thomas  Dana. 

Capt.  Eben  Gore. 


198  THE   FOURTH   MEETING   HOUSE 

July  11,  1779.     Isaac  Belknap. 
Oct.  3,  1779.  — 

Capt.  William  Heath. 

Abigail  Heath,  wife  of  WilUam. 
Jan  23,  1780. — 

William  Dorr. 

James  Orr. 
July  16,  1780.     Thomas  Cheaney. 
July  22,  1780.     John  Swift. 
Feb.  18,  1781.     Priscilla  Fuller. 

Jan.  6,  1782.     Edward  Turner,  b.  1755 ;  d.  Dec.  25,  1838 ;  m.  Lucy  Hyland. 
Sexton    of   this     meeting     house.     Constable.     Sheriff    of   Norfolk 
County.     Part  owner  of  Square  Pew  No.  9  in  Gallery,  Fifth  Meeting 
House. 
Jan.  20,  1782.     Katy  Weld,  widow. 
Feb.  17,  1782.  — 

Joseph  Gore,  b.  May  13,  1753 ;  d.  Feb.  5,  1824 ;  m.  Meriba  Thayer. 
Taught  school  in  Roxbm-y.  A  soldier  of  the  Revolution.  Owner  of 
Square  Pew  No.  3  in  Gallery,  Fifth  Meeting  House. 

Benjamin  West. 
Dec.  22,  1782.     Elizabeth  Woods. 
Mch.  16,  1783.     Daniel  Learned. 
Mch.  23,  1783.     Samuel  Hayward. 
April  27,  1783.  — 

Lemuel  Bradley. 

— ,  wife  of  Lemuel  Bradley. 

Cunningham. 

June  8.  1783.  — 

Elijah  Weld. 

,  wife  of  Elijah  Weld. 

Nov.  30,  1783. 

Phineas  Child. 

,  wife  of  Phineas  Child. 

Mch.  14,  1784.  — 

Jonathan  Brintneal. 

Polly  Brintneal,  wife  of  Jonathan. 
Mch.    21,   1784.     William  Blaney,   b.  July  22,  1757;    d.  Jan.  25,    1824; 
m.  Catherine  Mears.     Wharfinger  on  Central  Wharf.     Architect  of 

•    the  Fifth  Meeting  House.     Owner  of  Pew  No.  53,  Lower  Floor, 
Fifth  Meeting  House. 
April  25,  1784.     William  Williams,  Jr. 
May  9,  1784.    Abigail  Boven,  wife  of  Joshua. 


CHURCH   MEMBERS  199 

July  4,  1784.  — 

Robert  Lovering. 

,  wife  of  Robert  Lovering. 

Sarah  Sever,  widow. 
Aug.  29,  1784.     Rebecca  Bliss,  wife  of  EHjah. 
Nov.  7,  1784.     EUjah  Field. 
Dec.  19,  1784.  — 
Thomas  Mayo. 

,  wife  of  Thomas  Mayo. 

Elisha  Mayo. 
May  28,  1785.     Martha  Ruggles,  afterwards  wife  of  Rev.  John  Fairfield. 
Oct.  9,  1785.     George  Ziegler,  b.  in  1759,  in  Germany;  d.  Jan.  29,  1819; 
f         m.  Mary  Blaney.     Landholder.     Built  the  City  Hotel  in  Roxbury. 
Trustee  of  the  Roxbury  Latin  School.     Owner  of  Pew  No.  7,  Lower 
Floor,  Fifth  Meeting  House. 
Oct.  30,  1785.     Samuel  Curtis. 
Jan.  1,  1786.     John  Holbrook. 
Jan.  15,  1786.  — 
Charles  Dinsdel. 
Ebenezer  Scott. 
Feb.  5,  1786.     Solomon  Hunter. 

Mch.  12,  1786.     Ebenezer  Fox,  b.  Jan.  30,  1763 ;  d.  Dec.  14,  1843 ;  un- 
married.    Cabin  boy  when  about  12  years  old.     Afterwards  appren- 
ticed to  a  barber.     In  1779. he  entered  the  army  and  served  two 
months.     Soon  after  entered  the  navy,  serving  to  the  end  of  the 
Revolution.     Then  opened  a  barber  shop  in  Roxbury,  and  after- 
wards a  crockery  store.     Postmaster  in  Roxbury  in  1831.     In  1838 
wrote  his  "  Adventures."     Owner  of  Pew  No.  12,  Lower  Floor,  Fifth 
Meeting  House. 
Mch.  19,  1786.     Caleb  Aspinwall. 
Apr.  22,  1786.     John  Dove. 
Feb.  4,  1787.     Edward  Thomas. 
Mch.  11,  1787.     James  Mears,  Jr. 
May  6,  1787.     Joanna  Goddard,  widow. 
May  20,  1787.     Nathl  Winship. 
June  3,  1787.  — 
George  Bacon. 

Hephzibah  Bacon,  wife  of  George. 
July  8,  1787.     Thaddeus  Bruse. 

July  29  1787.  Nathaniel  Ruggles,  son  of  Capt.  Joseph  and  Rebecca 
(Curtis)  Ruggles,  b.  Nov.  11,  1761 ;  d.  Dec.  19,  1819;  m.  Sarah  Fel- 
lowes.  H.  C.  1781.  Studied  law  with  Judge  Simmer,  afterwards 
Governor.     Gave  up  law  and  became  a  merchant.     He  filled  many 


200  THE   FOURTH    MEETING   HOUSE 

civil  and  military  oflSces  in  the  State.     Representative  in  Congress. 
Parish  Clerk.     Member  Parish  Committee.     Ovraer  of  Pew  No.  2, 
Lower  Floor,  Fifth  Meeting  House. 
Sept.  23.  1787.  — 
David  Smft. 
Jonathan  Patten. 
Oct.  27,  1787.    Abigail  Craft,  widow. 
Jan.  20,  1788.     Samuel  Quincy. 
Feb.  24,  1788.     Increase  Davis. 
Apr.  6,  1788.     James  Lewis,  b.  1743;  d.  Dec,  1826;  m.  Hannah  Seaver. 

Farmer.     Owner  of  Pew  No.  4  in  Gallery,  Fifth  Meeting  House. 
July  27,  1788.     Hannah  Dana,  widow. 
Aug.  10,  1788.  — 

John  Montgomery. 

,  wife  of  John  Montgomery. 

Nov.  16,  1788.  — 

Simon  Willard,  b.  Apr.  3,  1754 ;  d.  Aug.  30,  1849 ;  m.  Mary  Leeds  A 
famous  clockmaker.  A  volunteer  from  Grafton  on  the  Lexington 
alarm.  Received  a  patent  from  the  Government  for  his  improved 
time  piece.  Appointed  in  1791  to  take  care  of  the  church  clock,  & 
had  charge  of  it  for  many  years. 

,  wife  of  David  Swift. 

Dec.  14,  1788.  — 
Joseph  Clarke. 

,  wife  of  Joseph  Clarke. 

Jan.  11,  1789.    Thomas  Adams,  H.  C.  1788. 
Feb.  8,  1789.  — 

Nathaniel  Brewer. 

,  wife  of  Nathaniel  Brewer. 

Apr.  5,  1789.     Stephen  Mansfield,  b.  1762;  d.  Dec.  18,  1808;  m.  Nancy 
Crosby.     Cordwainer.     Part  owner  of  Pew  No.   25,  Lower  Floor, 
Fifth  Meeting  House. 
Apr.  26,  1789.  — 

Elizab.  Nolen,  widow,  dismissed  from  Hollis  St.  Church,  Boston. 
Grace  Shed,  wife  of  OUver. 
May  24, 1789.     Samuel  Weld,  b.  June  18, 1755 ;  d.  June  8, 1826 ;  m.  Elizabeth 
Williams.     Farmer.    Part  owner  of  Pew  No.  8,  Lower  Floor,  Fifth 
Meeting  House. 
July  19,  1789.    Patty  Jackson. 
July  26,  1789.    Anna  Williams,  widow. 

Oct.  4,  1789.  Ebenezer  Seaver,  b.  July  5,  1763;  d.  March  1,  1844;  m. 
Elizabeth  Clap.  H.  C.  1784.  Farmer.  Selectman  of  Roxbury.  Repre- 
sentative.   Moderator  at  town  meetings.    Parish  Treasurer  1814- 


CHURCH   MEMBERS  201 


1825.    Member  of  Congress.    Owner  of  Pew  No.  54,  Lower  Floor, 
Fifth  Meeting  House. 

Nov.  1,  1789.    Mary  Ziegler,  wife  of  George. 

Jan.  24,  1790.  Thomas  Wyman,  Jr.,  b.  Jan.  21,  1761;  d.  May  31,  1816; 
m.  Sarah  White.  Farmer.  Soldier  of  the  Revolution.  Owner  of 
Pew  No.  55,  Lower  Floor,  Fifth  Meeting  House. 

Feb.  28, 1790.  John  Bartlett,  b.  1760 ;  d.  Nov.  26, 1844 ; m.  Abigail  Williams. 
H.C.  1781.  Only  physician  in  Roxbury  for  many  years.  One  of 
the  founders  of  the  Roxbury  Charitable  Society,  and  of  the  Hmnane 
Society  of  Mass.  Trustee  of  the  Roxbury  Latin  School.  President 
of  the  Bank  of  Norfolk.  Treasurer  of  the  Institution  for  Savings  in 
Roxbury,  Fellow  of  the  Mass.  Medical  Society.  Owner  of  Pew 
No.  31,  Lower  Floor,  Fifth  Meeting  House. 

April  4,  1790.  — 

Humphrey  Bicknell,  b.  July  1,  1762;  d.  Dec.  31,  1849;  m.  Jemima 
Jackson.    Mason  and  contractor.    Part  owner  of  Pew  No.  58,  Lower 
Floor,  Fifth  Meeting  House. 
John  Mears. 

July  25,  1790.    Thomas  Read. 

Sept.  19,  1790.    William  Emmerson.    H.  C.  1789.    Schoolmaster. 

Oct.  17,  1790.  William  Heath,  Jr.,  b.  Sept.  23,  1762;  d.  March  8,  1836; 
m.  Elizabeth  Spooner.  Farmer.  Owner  of  Square  Pew  No.  25  in 
Gallery,  Fifth  Meeting  House. 

Nov.  7,  1790.  Asa  Hunting,  b.  Aug.  24,  1759;  d.  March,  1834;  m.  Abigail 
Blaney.  Cabinet  maker.  Owner  of  Square  Pew  No.  32  in  Gallery, 
Fifth  Meeting  House. 

Aug.  21,  1791.    Rebecca  Wait,  widow. 

Sept.  25,  1791.  Jesse  Doggett,  b.  Jan.  12,  1761 ;  d.  Aug.  10,  1813 ;  m.  Eliza- 
beth Sumner.  Tavern-keeper.  Leather  dresser.  Train-band  Cap 
tain.    Owner  of  Pew  No.  52,  Lower  Floor,  Fifth  Meeting  House. 

Oct.  16,  1791.    Sarah  Greaton,  wife  of  R.  H.  Greaton. 

Oct.  30,  1791.  — 
Ehjah  Eastey. 

,  wife  of  Elijah  Eastey. 

Jan.  15,  1792.    Joel  Gay. 

Mch.  18,  1792.    Richard  Allen. 

Apr.  29,  1792.    John  Paddleford. 

June  24,  1792.    Nathaniel  Tileston. 

Sept.  9,  1792.    Joseph  Muncrief. 

Nov.  11,  1792.    Isabel  Dudley,  wife  of  Elijah. 

Jan.  13,  1793.  — 
Zacharias  Shed. 
Hannah  Shed,  wife  of  Zacharias. 


202  THE   FOURTH   MEETING   HOUSE 

Feb.  3,  1793,    Sarah  Robbins. 

Mch.  3,  1793.     Zabdiel  Adams,  b.  Dec.  9,  1767;  d.  Mch.  24,  1819;  m.  (1) 
Rachel   Lyon,    (2)  Mrs.    Abby    Pond   Richardson.     Hatter.     Part 
owner  of  Pew  No.  60,  Lower  Floor,  Fifth  Meeting  House. 
May  26,  1793.  — 
Jona.  Trull. 
Mary  Herring,  widow. 
Sept.  15,  1793.    Wilham  Bames,  b.  1761 ;  d.  1809 ;  m.  Jane  Thompson. 
Soldier  of  the  Revolution.    Lt.  Col.  Commandant  of  MiHtia.    Owner 
of  Pew  No.  56,  Lower  Floor,  Fifth  Meeting  House. 
Oct.,  1793.     Wilham  Cummens,  b.  1768 ;  d.  Apr.  20,  1834 ;  m.  Polly  Mayo. 
Clock  maker.    Owner  of  Pew  No.  21,  Lower  Floor.  Fifth  Meeting 
House. 
Nov.  10,  1793.  — 
John  Swift. 

,  wife  of  John  Swift. 

April  6,  1794.  — 

John  Clap,  see  Deacons,  Fifth  Meeting  House. 

Thomas  Mayo,  b.  July  24,  1767 ;  d.  May  26,  1850 ;  m.  Mrs.  Mary  Gore. 
Innkeeper.     A  founder  of  the  Universahst  Church.     Part  owner  of 
Pew  No.  13,  Lower  Floor,  Fifth  Meeting  House. 
May  11,  1794.    Otis  Gould,  d.  1843  ;m.  (1)  Ruth  TVTiite,  (2)  Mrs.  Asenath 
Bacon.    Hatter.     Held  town  offices.    Part  owner  of  Pew  No.  51, 
Lower  Floor,  Fifth  Meeting  House. 
May  25,  1794.    Martha  Mayhew,  wife  of  Simeon. 
June  1,  1794.     Ephraim  Mills. 
June  8,  1794.    Elizabeth  Harris,  widow. 
June  22,  1794.  — 
Geo.  Nolen. 

Hannah  Parker,  wife  of  William. 
Aug.  3,  1794.    Olive  Fessenden,  wife  of  Henry. 
Aug.  17,  1794.    Luther  Fuller. 
Aug.  31,  1794.  — 

Joseph  Ruggles,  Jr. 

Thomas  Rumrill,  b.  Nov.  30,  1762;  d.  Nov.  10,  1849;  m.  (1)  Abigail 
Richardson,  (2)  Mrs.  Sally  (Dudley)  Fellowes.     Baker.    A  soldier 
of  the  Revolution.    Part  owner  of  Pew  No.  69,  Lower  Floor,  Fifth 
Meeting  House. 
Feb.  8,  1795.    W^ilUam  Fisk. 
Mch.  22,  1795.    Eben.  Fuller. 
Apr.  26,  1795.  — 
Wyatt  Herring. 


CHURCH   MEMBERS  203 

Benjamin  Seaver,  b.  Sept.  28,  1766;  d.  June  29,  1815 ;  m.  Debby  Loud. 
Auctioneer.     Owner  of  Pew  No.  77,  Lower  Floor,  Fifth  Meeting 
House. 
Sept.  20,  1795.    John  W.  Fellowes. 
Jan.  3,  1796. — 

Polly  Freeman,  wife  of  Philip,  from  ye  Ch.  at  Brooklyne. 

Simeon  Pratt,  fr.  l^t  Church  in  Cambridge.    Part  owner  of  Pew  No.  58, 

Lower  Floor,  Fifth  Meeting  House. 
Sarah  Pratt,  wife  of  Simeon. 
Jan.  17,  1796.     John  Wyman. 

Mch.    13,   1796.     Ebenezer  Brewer,   m.    (1)  Mary  Foster,    (2)  Elizabeth 
Wliite.     Merchant.     Representative.     A  founder  of  the  Universalist 
Church.    Part  owner  of  Pew  No.  96,  Lower  Floor    Fifth  Meeting 
House. 
May  1,  1796.    Rufus  Foster. 
May  22,  1796.  — 

Samuel  Freeman. 
Rebecca  Freeman,  wife  of  Samuel. 
Aug.  28,  1796.  — 

Charles  Joy,  b.  July  27,  1773;  d.  June  10,  1838;  m.  Dorcas  Babb. 
Cooper.     A  founder  of  the  Universalist  Church.     Part  owner  of  Pew 
No.  50,  Lower  Floor,  Fifth  Meeting  House. 
Lemuel  Pierce,  owner  of  Pew  No.  93,  Lower  Floor,  Fifth  Meeting  House. 
Sept.  18,  1796.     Stedman  Williams,  b.  Mch.  16,   1773;  d.   Feb.   16,   1852; 
m.  Betsey  Williams.    Farmer.   Member  of  the  Society  for  apprehend- 
ing horse  thieves  in  1819.     Owner  of  Pew  No.   105,  Lower  Floor, 
Fifth  Meeting  House. 
Oct.  2,  1796.     John  Davis. 
Nov.  27,  1796.     Samuel  Fiske. 
Jan.  8,  1797.  — 

Nathaniel  Whiting  Williams. 

Mary  Williams,  wife  of  Nathaniel  Whiting  Williams. 
Jan.  15,  1797.  — 

Samuel  Blaney,  b.  Dec.  6,  1759;  d.  May  2,  1826;  m.  Anna  Curtis. 
Deputy  Sheriff  for  Norfolk  County.     Owner  of  Pew  No.  82,  Lower 
Floor,  Fifth  Meeting  House. 
Mary  Shed. 
Elizabeth  Shed. 
Feb.  26,  1797.    Rebecca  Lowell,  wife  of  (Judge)  John. 
Apr.  23,  1797.  — 
Levi  Pratt. 
Sukey  Clap,  wife  of  John. 


204  THE   FOURTH   MEETING   HOUSE 

May  21,  1797.  — 

Benjamin  Weld,  b.  1767;  d.  Sept.   24,  1852;  m.  Elizabeth  Heath. 

Merchant.     Trustee  of  the  Roxbury  Latin  School.     Part  owner  of 

Pew  No.  75,  Lower  Floor,  Fifth  Meeting  House. 
Phinehas  Withington,  b.  June  23,  1764;  d.  Jan.  1,  1829;  m.  Hannah 

Leeds.     At  first  kept  an  Inn  in  Jamaica  Plain,  afterwards  another 

Inn  on  Naushon  Island  during  the  War  of  1812.     Owner  of  Pew  No. 

95,  Lower  Floor,  Fifth  Meeting  House. 
June  18,  1797.  — 

Susannah  Lowder. 
Sally  Williams. 
June  25,  1797.     Jacob  Gould,  b.  Jan.  14,  1765 ;  d.  Sept.  25,  1811 ;  m.  Lucy 

Ruggles.     Farmer.    Part  owner  of  Pew  No.  78,  Lower  Floor,  Fifth 

Meeting  House. 
July  23,  1797.     William  Landers. 
Aug.  13,  1797.     Robert  Pierpont. 
Oct.  29,  1797.     WiUiam  Seaver,  Jr. 
Nov.  5,  1797.     Sarah  Pierpont,  wife  of  Robert. 
Jan.  21,  1798.    WiUiam  Robbing. 
May  20,  1798.  — 

Mary  Willard,  wife  of  Aaron. 

Joel  Whitiiig,  b.  1769 ;  d.  Oct.  4,  1845 ;  m.  Abigail  Sumner  Williams. 

Merchant.     Owner    of    Pew  No.  20,  Lower  Floor,  Fifth    Meeting 

House. 
June  17,  1798.    Lemuel  B.  Davis. 

July  29,  1798.    William  Davis,  see  Deacons,  Fifth  Meeting  House. 
Aug.  12,  1798.     John  Bryant  Braid. 
Aug.  26,  1798.     Joel  Seaverns,  b.  May  22,  1767;  d.  Feb.  12,  1827;  m.  (1) 

Deborah  Crosby,  (2)  OUve  Draper  Gay.    Farmer.    Part  owner  of 

Pew  No.  59,  Lower  Floor,  Fifth  Meeting  House. 
Dec.  23,  1798.    Matthew  Gardner. 
Mch  31,  1799.     Nathan  Watson. 
May  5,  1799.    Dan'l  Haynes. 

June  23,  1799.     Joseph  James,  b.  1773;  d.  Nov.  18,  1838;  m.  Mary  Rob- 
inson.    Carpenter.    A  founder  of  the  UniversaUst  Chiu"ch.    Owner 

of  Square  Pew  No.  6  in  Gallery,  Fifth  Meeting  House. 
Sept.  29,  1799.    Nathaniel   Seaver,  b.  Feb.  7,  1773;   d.  Oct.  27,  1827; 

m.  Hannah  Loco.    Merchant.    Owner  of  Pew  No.  74,  Lower  Floor, 

Fifth  Meeting  House. 
Nov.  24,  1799.    Benj.  Marshall,  part  owner  of  Pew  No.  67,  Lower  Floor, 

Fifth  Meeting  House. 


CHURCH   MEMBERS  205 

Jan.  19, 1800.    Joseph  Heath,  b.  Apr.  2, 1766 ;  d.  July  6, 1842 ;  m.  (1)  Naomi 

Vose,  (2)  Mrs.    Hannah   (Davis)    Murdock.    Farmer.    Owner   of 

Square  Pew  No.  19  in  Gallery,  Fifth  Meeting  House. 
Feb.  2, 1800.  Solomon  Jones,  m.  Nabby  Baker.   Part  owner  of  Pew  No.  78, 

Lower  Floor,  Fifth  Meeting  House. 
Feb.  16,  1800.     Isaac  Shaw,  b.  1772 ;  d.  May  31, 1817 ;  m.  (1)  Nancy  Brown 

Bosson,  (2)  Polly  Taylor.     Truckman.     Part  owner  of  Square  Pew 

No.  15  in  Gallery,  Fifth  Meeting  House. 
May  4,  1800.  — 

Charles  Davis,  b.  Mch.  29,  1772;  d.  Feb.  8, 1842  ;m.  Harriet  Fellowes. 

He  and  his  brother  Aaron  were   Manufacturers    and    Exporters. 

They  formed  a  company  which  built  the  Roxbury  Canal.     Parish 

clerk.    Member  of    Parish  Committee.    Trustee  of  the  Roxbury 

Latin  School.    Owner  of  Pew  No.  102,  Lower  Floor,  Fifth  Meeting 

House. 
James  Henderson. 
Sept  7,  1800.    Mary  Blaney,  widow. 
Nov.  30,  1800.    WiUiam  McCarty,  b.  Sept.  30,  1773;  d.  Dec.  3,  1830;  m. 

Martha  Nolen.     Member  of  Parish  Committee.     Owner  of  Square 

Pew  No.  23  in  Gallery,  Fifth  Meeting  House. 
Dec.  21,  1800.     Charles  James. 
Jan.  18,  1801.    Noah  Perrin  Williams. 
Mch.  15,  1801.    Ehsha  Forbes,  b.  June  2,  1773 ;  d.  Jan.  29,  1821 ;  m.  Nancy 

Bmrill.     Provision   dealer.     Part   owner   of   Pew   No.    10,   Lower 

Floor,  Fifth  Meeting  House. 
Mch.  22,  1801.    Patty  Ruggles. 
Mch.  29,  1801.    Joseph  Davis,  b.  May  26,  1779;  d.  May  8,  1814;  m.  Elsie 

Donnell  Fellowes.     East  Indian  Merchant.    Owner  of  Pew  No.  103, 

Lower  Floor,  Fifth  Meeting  House. 
Apr.  5, 1801.     Joseph  Seaver,  b.  April  12, 1777 ;  d.  Aug.  17, 181 1 ;  m.  Abigail 

Whitney.     Provision  dealer.     Owner  of  Pew  No.  34,  Lower  Floor, 

Fifth  Meeting  House.     His  son  Joseph  was  the  first  boy  and  second 

child  baptised  in  the  Fifth  Meeting  House. 
June  21,  1801.     Grant  Learned. 
Aug.  2,  1801.    Seth  Lawrence. 
Aug.  16,  1801.    Samuel  Gore. 
Aug.  23,  1801.     John  Seaver,  b.  Aug.  24,  1773;  d.  March  25,  1856;  m. 

Betsey  Dudley.     Sex-ton  of  the  Fifth  Meeting  House  from  April  28, 

1821,  to  Feb.  29,  1844.    Owner  of  Pew  No.  46,  Lower  Floor,  Fifth 

Meeting  House. 
Sept.  20,  1801.     John  Downer. 
Oct.  18,  1801.     Joseph  Dudley,  b.  Oct.  16,  1780;  d.  Feb.  28,  1827;  m. 

Pedy  Whitney.     Gave  the  site  for  a  town  house  afterwards  the  City 


206  THE   FOURTH   MEETING   HOUSE 

Hall.     Member  Parish  Committee.     Husbandman.     Owner  of  Pew 
No.  104,  Lower  Floor,  Fifth  Meeting  House. 
Oct.  25,  1801.     Sarah  Davis,  widow. 
Nov.  15,  1801.  — 

Elisha  Hathaway. 
Samuel  Williams. 
Dec.  13,  1801.     Edward  Humphrey. 
Jan.  3,  1802.    Jesse  Stetson,  b.  1780 ;  d.  Aug.  16,  1847 ;  m.  Sally  Dickerman. 

Owner  of  Square  Pew  No.   27  in  Gallery,  Fifth  Meeting  House. 

Wlieelwright. 
Feb.  7   1802.     Aaron  Rumrill,  b.  1770;  d.  July  10,  1811;  m.  Ann . 

Baker.     Part  o^vner  of  Square  Pew  No.  15  in  Gallery,  Fifth  Meeting 

House. 
Feb.  21,  1802.     Charles  Lowell,  son  of  Judge  John  Lowell,  b.  Aug.  15, 

1782;  d.  Jan.  20,  1861  ;m.   Harriet  Bracket  Spence.     H.  C.  1800. 

Ordained  Pastor  of  the  West  Church  in  Boston,  Jan.  1,  1806,  and 

officiated  55  years.     Received  the  honorary  degree  of    D.D.  from 

Harvard  College  in  1823.     Secretary  of   Mass.  Historical    Society. 

One  of  the  founders  of  the  Society  of  Northern  Antiquarians  of 

Copenhagen,   Denmark.    Corresponding  member  of  the  Archeolo- 

gical  Society  of  Authors. 
April  11,  1802.     Wilham  Patten,  b.  Dec.  10,  1772;  d.  Aug.  13,  1861;  m. 

Sarah  WilUams.     Leather  merchant.     Part  owner  of  Pew  No.  39. 

Jx^wor  Floor,  Fifth  Meeting  House. 
May  9,  1802.     Joseph  Crafts,  b.  1775;  d.  March  28,  1842;  m.  (1)  Eliza- 
beth Mellish,  (2)  Eunice  Dowse.     Tanner. 
July  4,  1802.     John  Bower. 
July  18,  1802.     Joseph  Stratton. 
Sept.  12,  1802.     Aaron  Child,  b.  Jan.  1,  1770;  d.  May  11,  1847;  m.  Polly 

Hall.     Housewright.     Owner  of  Square  Pew  No.   37  in  Gallery, 

Fifth  Meeting  House. 
Nov.  14,  1802.     David  Baker,  b.  Sept.  7,  1755;  m.  (1)  Hannah  Geegins, 

(2)  Amy  Williams.     Currier.     Owner  of  Pew  No.  19,  Lower  Floor, 

Fifth  Meeting  House. 
Nov.  28,  1802.     Stephen  Goddard. 
Feb.  13,  1803.  — 

Aaron  Pomeroy,  buried  Aug.  21,  1821 ;  m.  Abigail  Burrell.     Blacksmith. 

Part  ovraer  of  Pew  No.  10,  Lower  Floor,  Fifth  Meeting  House. 
Dudley  Wilhams,  b.  Sept.  6,  1775;  buried  Sept.  25,  1811;  m.  Polly 

Williams.     Member     of     Roxbiu-y     City     Guard.     Alderman.     A 

proprietor  of  the  Roxbury  Athenaeum.    Owner  of  Pew  No.  14,  Lower 

Floor,  Fifth  Meeting  House. 
Feb.  20,  1803.     Mary  Mears,  wife  of  James,  Jr. 
March  20,  1803.    Adin  Ayres. 


CHURCH    MEMBERS  207 

Capt.  Stoddard's  New  Brick  Building 
CHURCH  MEMBERS 

July  10,  1803.     Jacob  Allen,  b.  May  14,  1776;  d.  Jan.  31,  1860;  m.  Sibyl 

Willett.    Carpenter  and  builder.    Owner  of  Pew  No.  14,  Lower  Floor, 

Fifth  Meeting  House. 
Aug.  21,  1803.     Ephraim  Cutting. 
Oct.  2,  1803.     Jacob  Skinner. 
Nov.  27,  1803.  — 

William  Hazlett,  b.  1770;  d.  July  17,  1823;  m.  (1)  Eliza  Kingsbury, 

(2)  Sarah  Walker.     Innkeeper.     Owner    of   Pew   No.    65,  Lower 

Floor,  Fifth  Meeting  House. 
Eliza  Hazlett,  wife  of  WiUiam. 
Dec.  25,  1803.     Daniel  Whitney. 
Jan.  29,  1804.    Joseph  Ware,  b.  1780;  d.  July  22,  1830;  m.  Nancy  Smith. 

Part  owner  of  Pew  No.  44,  Lower  Floor,  Fifth  Meeting  House. 
May  27,  1804.    Jesse  Joy. 


2II|j  Jiftli  Hurting  Ijoufi? 


PASTORS 

Rev.  Eliphalet  Porter,  D.D. 
Rev.  George  Putnam,  D.D. 
Rev.  Mr.  John  Graham  Brooks 
Rev.  James  De  Normandie,  D.D. 

DEACONS 

Samuel  Sumner 

Nehemiah  Munroe 
Joshua  Felton 
William  Davis 

Ebenezer  Crafts 
John  Clap 

Jonathan  Avery  Richards 
RuFus  Wtman,  M.D. 
Benjamin  Kent 

Charles  Knapp  Dillaway 
Supply  Clap  Thwing 
John  Hunt 

Adams  Ayer 

Edward  Belcher  Reynolds 
Joseph  Warren  Tucker 
Jeremiah  Plimpton 
John  Joseph  May 

Henry  Dan  Wilmarth 

Robert  Comfort  Metcalp 
William  Francis  Crafts 
John  Noble 
Isaac  Gover 

Henry  Clay  Whitcomb 
209 


210  THE   FIFTH    MEETING   HOUSE 


PARISH   CLERK 

Nathaniel  Ruggles  elected  April  29,  1793 

Ebenezer  Brewer  elected  April  29,  1805 

John  Champney  elected  April  30,  1811 

Charles  Davis  elected  April  29,  1813 

William  Davis  elected  April  21,  1814 

William  Bosson  elected  April  27,  1815 
Dr.  Nathaniel  Shepherd  Prentiss  elected  April  21,  1817 

Dr.  Peter  Gilman  Robbins  elected  April    4,  1821 

David  Allen  Simmons  elected  April  18,  1822 

At  a  meeting  held  April  4,  1825,  the  above  title  was  changed  to  Clerk  of 
the  Society  and  the  date  of  the  Annual  Meeting  to  Jan.  2,  1826. 

CLERK   OF  THE   SOCIETY 

David  Allen  Simmons  elected  April  4,  1825 

David  Allen  Simmons  re-elected  Jan.  2,  1826 

Deacon  William  Davis  elected  Jan.  12,  1829 

Joseph  Warren  Tucker  elected  Jan.  7,  1850 

William  Crosby  elected  Jan.  4,  1886 

George  Allen  Dary  elected  Jan.  1,  1894 

PARISH   TREASURER 

Joseph  Ruggles  elected   Dec.  11,  1787 

William  Heath,  Jr.  elected  April  29,  1805 

Asa  Whitney  elected  April  22,  1812 

William  Heath,  Jr.  elected  April  29,  1813 

Ebenezer  Seaver  elected  April  21,  1814 

At  a  meeting  held  April  4,  1825,  the  above  title  was  changed  to 

TREASURER   OF  THE   SOCIETY 

John  Lemist  elected  April  4,  1825 

John  Lemist  re-elected  Jan.  2,  1826 

Nathaniel  Dorr  elected  Jan.  12,  1829 

Thomas  Simmons  elected  Jan.  4,  1830 

John  Champney  elected  Jan.  2,  1832 

John  Jones  Clarke  elected  Jan.  5,  1835 


THE   FIFTH    MEETING   HOUSE  211 

Baman  Stone  elected  Jan.  16,  1856 

Charles  Knapp  Dillaway  elected  Jan.  27,  1862 

Edward  Belcher  Reynolds  elected  Jan.  4,  1886 

William  Crosby  elected  Jan.  1,  1894 

Alfred  Monson  Bullard  elected  Jan.  4,  1904 

PARISH   COMMITTEES 

Elected  July  10,  1794 

Joseph  Ruggles 

Deacon  Nehemiah  Munroe      Nathaniel  Ruggles 

Elected  April  29,  1805 

Ebenezer  Brewer 

Daniel  Saunderson  Joseph  Heath 

Elected  May  6,  1805 

Ebenezer  Brewer 

Major  William  Bosson        William  Heath,  Jr 

William  Heath,  Jr.,  desired  to  be  excused  from  serving, 
so  Joseph  Dudley  was  chosen  and  elected  May  13,  1805. 

Elected  April  25,  1806 

Ebenezer  Brewer  Major  William  Bosson 

John  Champney  in  place  of 

Benjamin  Weld  who  declined  oflfice 

Elected  April  29,  1807 

Ebenezer  Brewer 

Capt.  Joseph  Dudley       Capt.  Benjamin  Weld 

Elected  April  30,  1810 

Ebenezer  Brewer 

Col.  Joseph  Dudley  John  Champney 

Elected  April  22,  1812 

Ebenezer  Brewer 

Isaac  Davis  John  Champney 

Elected  April  29,  1813 

Capt.  Jonathan  Dorr 

Major  Benjamin  Weld  Charles  Davis 


212  THE   FIFTH   MEETING   HOUSE 

Elected  April  21,  1814 

Ebenezer  Brewer 

Isaac  Davis  William  Davis 

Elected  April  27,  1815 

Isaac  Davis 
William  Davis  William  Bosson 

Elected  April  16,  1816 

John  Clap 

William  Bosson  Dr.  Nathaniel  Shepherd  Prentiss 

Elected  April  13,  1818 
John  Clap 
Deacon  William  Davis 

Dr.  Nathaniel  Shepherd  Prentiss 

Elected  April  4,  1821 

Jonathan  Dorr 
John  Champney  William  Blaney 

Elected  April  18,  1822 

Benjamin  Weld  in  place  of    Charles  Davis  who  declined 

John  Lemist  Samuel  Guild 

Elected  April  25,  1823 

Elijah  Lewis 

Stephen  Child  David  Allen  Simmons 

Elected  April  15,  1824 

William  McCarthy 

Col.  Jonathan  A.  Richards         David  Allen  Simmons 

STANDING   COMMITTEES 

Title  changed  April  4,  1825 

Elected  April  4,  1825 

Charles  Davis 

Jonathan  Dorr  Isaac  Davis 

Above  were  re-elected  Jan.  2,  1826 

Elected  Jan.  8,  1827 

John  Champney        Samuel  Jackson  Gardner 

Assistants  Re-elected  in  1828 


THE   FIFTH   MEETING   HOUSE  213 

Elected  Jan.  4,  1830 

John  Lemist 

Ebenezer  Crafts  David  Dudley 

Elected  Jan.  3,  1831 

John  Lemist 
Ebenezer  Crafts  Supply  Clap  Thwing 

Elected  Jan.  2,  1832 

John  Lemist 

Supply  Clap  Thwing  David  Dudley 

Elected  Jan.  23,  1833 

John  Lemist 

Watson  Gore       Benjamin  Franklin  Copeland 

Elected  Jan.  6,  1834 

Benjamin  Franklin  Copeland 

Watson  Gore  Dr.  Henry  Bartlett 

Elected  Jan.  4,  1836 

Richard  Ward 

Thomas  Brewer  Ephraim  Harrington 

Elected  Jan.  2,  1837 

Richard  Ward 

Ephraim  Harrington      Daniel  Andrew  Sigourney 

Elected  Jan.  7,  1839 

Richard  Ward 

Ephraim  Harrington       Charles  Knapp  Dillaway 

Elected  Jan.  1,  1844 

Richard  Ward 

Charles  Knapp  Dillaway     Jonathan  Pratt  Robinson 

Elected  Jan.  3,  1853; 

Richard  Ward 
Cushing  Stetson  James  Guild 

Eleded  Jan.  l6,  1856 

Thomas  Simmons 
Theodore  Otis  Aaron  Davis  Williams 


214  THE    FIFTH    MEETING    HOUSE 

Elected  Jan.  5,  1857 

Charles  Knapp  Dillaway 

Gushing  Stetson  Theodore  Otis 

Eleded  Jan.  3,  1859 

Charles  Knapp  Dillaway 
CusHiNG  Stetson  Edward  Wyman 

Elected  Jan.  5,  1863 

Edward  Wyman 
William  James  Reynolds    William  Channing  Appleton 

Elected  Jan.  4,  1864 

Edward  Wyman 

William  James  Reynolds  George  Lewis 

Elected  Jan.  1,  1866 

George  Lewis 

Samuel  Crocker  Cobb       Shubael  Gorham  Rogers 

Elected  Feb.  6,  1866 

James  Ritchie  in  place  of         Shubael  Gorham  Rogers 

Elected  Jan.  7,  1867 

George  Lewis 
Samuel  Crocker  Cobb         John  Felt  Osgood 

Elected  Jan.  1,  1872 

Samuel  Crocker  Cobb 

John  Rogers       Adams  Ayer 

Elected  Jan.  6,  1873 

Samuel  Crocker  Cobb 
John  Rogers  James  Thacher  Hayward 

Elected  Jan.  4,  1875 
William  Crosby 
John  Rogers  William  Blanchard 

Elected  Jan.  7,  1878 

David  Miller  Hodgdon 

Augustus  Parker  Adams  Ayer 


THE   FIFTH   MEETING   HOUSE  215 

Elected  Jan.  6,  1879 

David  Miller  Hodgdon 
Henry  A.  S.  D.  Dudley       Henry  Ware  Putnam 

Elected  Jan.  1,  1883 

David  Miller  Hodgdon 
Henry  Ware  Putnam      Charles  Milton  Seaver 

Elected  Jan.  7,  1884 

David  Miller  Hodgdon 
Charles  Milton  Seaver     Charles  Andrews  Grinnell 

Elected  Jan.  7,  1889 

Dependence  Sturtevant  Waterman 
Horace  Bacon  James  Clarke  Davis 

Elected  Jan.  4,  1892. 

Dependence  Sturtevant  Waterman 

James  Clarke  Davis     Samuel  Everett  Tinkham 


SEXTONS 
Edward  Turner  served  from  Feb.  27, 1796,  to  April  28, 1812. 

At  a  meeting  held  April  28,  1812,  Edward  Turner  was 
elected  to  attend  funerals,  &c.,  Mr.  Hervey  Woods  to  do 
the  other  work  of  the  sexton  and  Mr.  Abraham  Crawley  to 
wind  up  and  take  care  of  the  clocks. 

Hervey  Woods  served  from  April,  1813,  to  April,  1819. 
Edward  Turner  served  from  April,  1819,  to  April,  1821. 
John  Seaver  served  from  April  28,  1821,  to  Feb.  29,  1844. 
William  Seaver  served  three  months  to  Jan.  28,  1825. 

(John  Seaver  was  probably  absent.) 
Horace  Bacon  served  from  March,  1844,  to  June  30,  1850. 
Nathan  Haynes  served  from  July  1,  1850,  to  April  1,  1857. 
Thomas  Colligan  served  from  April  1, 1857,  to  April  1, 1877, 


216  THE   FIFTH   MEETING  HOUSE 

Charles  S.  Champney  served  from  April  1,  1877,  to  March 

14,  1897. 
John  Hall  served  from  March  14,  1897,  to  June  20,  1897. 
John  B.  Johnson  served  from  June  21, 1897,  to  May  15, 1904. 
William  Slater  served  from  May  15,  1904. 


THE   FIFTH   MEETING   HOUSE 


With  the  nineteenth  century  there  came  a  change  in  the 
creed  of  the  old  church.  The  earliest  intimation  of  dissent 
in  Boston  from  the  Calvinistic  creed  of  the  Congregational 
church  was  in  1747  when  Jonathan  Mayhew  was  settled  over 
the  West  church  in  Boston.  After  the  Revolution  many 
Unitarians,  then  called  Arminians,  filled  the  Congregational 
pulpits  in  and  around  Boston,  and  by  1782  Unitarianism 
was  brought  prominently  to  the  front.  In  our  church,  Dr. 
Porter's  sermon  before  the  Convention  of  ministers  in  Boston 
may  be  called  the  turning  point,  and  since  his  day  we  have 
become  a  Unitarian  church. 

The  committee,  to  whom  was  left  the  choice  of  plans  for 
a  new  Meeting  House,  had  three  placed  before  them  from 
which  to  choose,  and  that  of  the  Newburyport  Meeting 
House  appeared  to  them  the  most  suitable  for  Roxbury. 
The  architect  of  that  building  is  unknown,  though  tradition 
says  it  was  Timothy  Palmer.  With  a  few  alterations  this  plan 
was  adopted  and  Mr.  William  Blaney  appears  to  have  been 
the  chief  consulting  architect.  May  26,  1803,  the  Building 
committee  was  directed  to  build  stairs  and  make  entrance  to 
the  gallery  at  the  East  end  in  the  most  convenient  mode 
consistent  with  the  present  plan. 

July  20,  1803,  "  the  builders  began  to  raise  the  frame  and 
finished  raising  it  in  four  days  without  any  evil  occurance," 
and  when  completed  the  building  proved  highly  satisfactory, 
and  was  thought  to  be  one  of  the  most  commodious  and 

217 


218  THE   FIFTH    MEETING   HOUSE 

beautiful  of  all  the  old  Meeting  Houses  in  New  England- 
The  timbers  were  massive,  the  proportions  good  and  the 
acoustic  properties  perfect.  The  building  measures  80  feet 
by  70  feet  on  the  outside  with  a  seating  capacity  of  about 
one  thousand. 

Its  great  simplicity  is  its  most  striking  feature.  It  has  no 
ornamentation,  with  the  exception  of  the  Memorial  Tablets 
recently  put  in,  and  is  without  stained  glass  windows.  For 
a  century  it  has  proved  a  Meeting  House  in  the  most  devout 
sense  of  the  word.  A  place  of  worship  and  religious  devotion, 
with  old  associations  of  our  immediate  ancestors. 

The  corner  stone  at  the  west  corner  was  laid  with  appro- 
priate ceremonies  and  there  was  supposed  to  have  been 
deposited  under  this  stone  a  circular  silver  plate  with  the 

inscription:  — 

This 
Building  desig- 
ned for  the  Publick 
worship  of  God  was  fou 
nded  with  harmony  and 
love  by  the  first  Parish 

in 

Roxbury  May  ^d  1803 

Laus  Deo. 

Ten  years  later  at  a  meeting  of  the  Parish  Committee, 
May  10,  1813,  Capt.  Jonathan  Dorr  received  from  Mr. 
Ebenezer  Brewer  this  identical  plate  which  he  was  requested 
to  place  in  the  hands  of  William  Heath,  Jr.,  Treasurer. 
This  event  took  place  soon  after  a  discourse  by  Rev.  Dr. 
Porter  from  Acts  xviii,  17,  "Then  all  the  Greeks  took 
Sosthenes,  the  chief  ruler  of  the  synagogue,  and  beat  him 
before  the  judgment  seat.  And  Gallio  cared  for  none  of 
those  things."  Upon  the  back  of  the  plate  when  returned 
there  was  found  attached  to  it  a  piece  of  paper  on  which 
was  written 


^^^/^ 


<Zy  jA/).  ^  of.  A 


THE    PLATE, 


THE   PLATE    AS    RETURNED    WITH    INSCRIPTION 


THE   FIFTH    MEETING   HOUSE  219 

This  TaUant 

which  the  sloth 

full  servant  hid  in    ' 

earth  mite  have  been 

sold  for  six  shillings 

and  seven  pence  and 

given  to  the  poor 

But  Galleio  cared 

for  none  of  these 

things. 

May  7,  1804,  the  Parish  voted  to  purchase  only  one  clock 
for  the  inside  of  the  Meeting  House  until  the  pews  are  sold. 
This  clock  was  made  by  Simon  Willard  and  is  undoubtedly 
the  one  still  in  the  church. 

May  10,  1804,  shortly  after  9  o'clock  in  the  morning,  Mr. 
Lewis  Hoyt,  the  auctioneer,  proceeded  to  sell  the  pews  which 
continued  through  the  day  and  the  pews  were  all  sold,  except- 
ing Pew  No.  1  reserved  for  the  Pastor  and  his  family,  and 
Pews  Nos.  85,  86,  87,  88  reserved  for  the  future  disposition 
of  the  parish,  realizing  the  sum  of  $7706.  The  surplus 
arising  from  this  sale,  after  all  the  just  demands  arising  in 
consequence  of  building  said  meeting  house  were  paid  and 
deduction  for  a  new  clock,  was  paid  to  the  several  persons 
who  were  assessed  and  did  pay  a  Parish  Tax  in  this  Parish 
for  the  last  year  in  proportion  to  the  said  tax  they  severally 
paid  in  said  Parish  the  last  year,  being  the  year  1804. 

This  New  Meeting  House  was  dedicated  to  the  service  of 
God  on  Thursday  the  7^^  Day  of  June,  a.d.  1804.  Sermon 
by  Dr.  Porter,  the  text  being  Ezra  vi,  16,  "And  the  children 
of  Israel,  the  priests  and  the  Levites,  and  the  rest  of  the 
children  of  the  captivity,  kept  the  dedication  of  this  house 
of  God  with  joy."  The  10*^  day  of  June,  1804,  was 
the  first  Sabbath  on  which  there  was  preaching  in  the  new 
house. 

By  vote  of  the  parish,  Feb.  11,  1805,  town  meetings  in  the 


220  THE    FIFTH    MEETING   HOUSE 

Meeting  House  were  interdicted,  and  as  a  result  a  town  house 
was  built  soon  after. 

In  April,  1805,  a  committee  reported  to  the  Parish  that 
an  act  of  incorporation  similar  to  the  one  granted  to  the 
first  parish  in  the  town  of  Groton,  Feb.  21,  1804,  with  few 
alterations  and  additions  would  be  suitable  for  this  Parish. 
At  the  same  time  it  was  voted  not  to  raise  Mr.  Porter's  salary 
to  $1000,  but  allow  him  $800  and  his  wood. 

In  April,  1806,  the  new  clock  with  one  dial  was  set  up  in 
the  tower  of  the  new  meeting  house  by  Mr.  Simon  Willard 
who  made  it  at  a  cost  of  $858.00. 

Thomas  Williams,  Jr.,  presented  an  Elegant  Folio  Bible 
to  the  Parish  April  25,  1806,  and  on  the  same  day  the  Parish 
voted  to  have  the  bell  rung  at  one  o'clock  noon  and  at  nine 
o'clock  in  the  evening;. 

July  4, 1808,  the  citizens  of  the  Town  of  Roxbury  in  Com- 
memoration of  the  Anniversary  of  American  Independence 
celebrated  the  day  by  a  procession  which  was  formed  at  the 
house  of  Mrs.  Burrell  at  twelve  o'clock  under  the  direction 
of  Major  Bosson,  Marshall  of  the  Day,  and  moved  from 
thence  to  the  Rev.  Dr.  Porter's  Meeting  House  under  the 
escort  of  Capt.  Bicknell's  company  of  Artillery.  The  exer- 
cises in  this  House  began  with  (1)  a  prayer  by  the  Rev.  Dr. 
Porter;  (2)  Hymn  to  Freedom,  Tune  Old  Hundred;  (3) 
Declaration  of  Independence  read  by  IVIr.  Abraham  Fox; 
(4)  Oration  by  Mr.  N.  Ruggles  Smith ;  (5)  Ode  for  the  Fourth 
of  July,  1808,  Tune,  Rise  Columbia.  This  was  the  First 
Public  event  in  this  house. 

In  April,  1810,  it  was  voted  that  the  time  of  intermission 
of  Divine  service  be  lengthened  the  three  summer  months 
only,  to  three  hours;  that  is  to  say,  the  Second  bell  to  begin 
ringing  one  quarter  of  an  hour  before  three,  and  in  1811  the 
time  was  lengthened  to  between  May  1  and  Sept.  1. 


THE   FIFTH    MEETING   HOUSE  221 

In  April,  1812,  the  Parish  Committee  agreed  with  Mr. 
Edward  Turner  for  him  to  attend  funerals,  &c.,  and  with 
Mr.  Hervey  Woods  to  have  charge  of  the  Meeting  House, 
to  ring  the  bell  at  one  o'clock  every  day,  Sundays  excepted, 
and  at  9  every  night  in  the  year,  to  see  that  no  horses  are 
tied  to  any  part  of  the  Meeting  House,  and  that  no  posts 
are  set  on  the  hill  without  the  consent  of  the  Committee,  for 
which  services  he  was  to  receive  $84.00  per  year.  They  also 
agreed  with  Mr.  Abraham  Crawley  to  wind  up,  oil  and  keep 
the  two  clocks  for  $7.00  per  year. 

Sept.  23,  1815,  the  meeting  house  was  a  little  damaged  by 
a  hurricane. 

July  10,  1816,  the  surplus  arising  from  the  sale  of  Pews 
with  current  Bank  Bills  remaining  in  the  Treasury  was 
appropriated  for  the  use  of  the  Parish. 

In  April,  1817,  the  Parish  declined  to  purchase  one  or 
more  stoves  for  the  purpose  of  heating  the  meeting  house. 

June  6,  1817,  the  window  over  the  middle  door  at  the  West 
end  of  the  meeting  house  was  broken  by  some  malicious 
person  or  persons. 

In  Oct.,  1817,  a  committee  consisting  of  Mr.  John  Clap, 
Mr.  George  Ziegler  and  Mr.  Eleb  Faxon  was  chosen  to  look 
out  a  suitable  piece  of  land  for  a  Burying  Ground,  ascertain 
the  price  of  the  same  and  report  at  the  next  meeting.  They 
made  a  verbal  report  at  the  next  meeting  in  Dec.  when  a 
committee,  consisting  of  Mr.  Eleb  Faxon,  Ebenezer  Seaver 
Esq.,  Mr.  George  Ziegler,  Joseph  Harrington  Esq.  and  Mr. 
John  Clap,  was  chosen  to  purchase  in  behalf  of  the  Parish  a 
suitable  piece  of  ground.  At  the  Annual  Meeting  held  April 
13,  1818,  the  committee  reported  that  they  had  agreed  to 
purchase  in  behalf  of  the  Parish  a  tract  of  land  of  Doctor 
Samuel  Bugbee  (of  Wrentham)  situated  nearly  opposite  the 
Mansion  of  the  late  Doctor  Davis  and  containing  about  an 


222  THE   FIFTH   MEETING   HOUSE 

acre  and  a  half  for  the  consideration  of  $1000.00.  It  was 
also  voted  to  dispose  of  the  musical  instruments  belonging 
to  the  parish  which  were  not  useful.  Mr.  Simon  Willard 
continued  to  have  charge  of  the  clocks  in  1818. 

The  present  bell  purchased  of  Mr.  J.  W.  Revere  was  cast 
at  the  Foundry  in  Canton,  Mass.,  and  was  raised  to  its  present 
position  May  27,  1819.  It  weighed  1538  lbs.  and  cost 
$692.10  less  old  bell  sold  for  $215.50  leaving  a  balance  of 
$476.60  which  was  the  cash  payment.  In  1820  the  meeting 
house  was  warmed  by  two  stoves  costing  $258.16.  At  a 
meeting  of  the  Parish  held  Feb.  10,  1820,  it  was  voted  not  to 
oppose  the  prayer  of  William  Hannaford  and  others  for  an 
act  of  Incorporation  as  a  Society  of  Universalists  in  the  Town 
of  Roxbury. 

During  the  night  of  May  26,  1820,  some  evil  minded  per- 
sons entered  the  meeting  house  and  tore  away  the  cushions 
from  the  pulpit  and  totally  destroyed  the  valuable  Parish 
Bible  and  committed  other  depredations. 

June  24ti»  of  the  same  year  the  Holy  Bible,  which  is  now 
(1908)  in  the  Pulpit,  was  presented  to  the  Parish  accompanied 
by  the  following  note :  — 

Roxbury,  June  24,  1820. 
Gentlemen, 

The  Holy  Bible  that  accompanies  this  Note  is  presented 
to  the  first  or  Easterly  Parish  of  this  Town  by  their  Himil  Servt 

SamI  J.  Gardner. 

Messrs.    John  Clap  1 

NathI  S.  Prentiss  [     Committee  of  said  Parish. 
William  Davis        ] 

to  which  the  following  acceptance  was  made. 

Roxbury,  26th  June,  1820. 
Saml  J.  Gardner  Esq. 

Dear  Sir:  We,  the  undersigned,  the  Committee  of  the  First  Parish  in 
Roxbury,  for  ourselves,  and  in  behalf  of  said  Parish,  do  hereby  acknowledge 


THE   FIFTH   MEETING   HOUSE  223 


the  Receipt  of  an  elegant  Church  Bible,  by  you  presented  to  the  said  Parish. 
We  beg  you  will  be  assured.  Dear  Sir,  we  duly  appreciate  your  kindness  in 
bestowing  so  valuable  a  present.  Be  pleased  to  accept  our  most  cordial 
wishes,  that  you  may  long  enjoy  Health,  Prosperity  and  Happiness.  And 
what  can  be  more  conducive  to  Happiness,  than  the  pleasure  derived  from 
the  consciousness  of  ha%ing  voluntarily  performed  a  liberal  and  at  the  same 
time  a  Good  Act. 

John  Clap     1 

WM  Davis       [  Parish  Committee. 

N.  S.  PrentissJ 

After  Jan.  31,  1822,  the  records  of  sales  of  pews  were  kept 
in  a  separate  book  having  previously  been  included  in  the 
general  records  of  the  parish.  Mrs.  Hannah  Jackson  and 
Kendall  Brooks  left  this  church  and  became  original  members 
of  Dudley  St.  Baptist  Church.  Sunday  evening  March  31, 
1822,  there  was  a  Concert  in  this  Meeting  House.  March  21, 
1825,  the  last  meeting  of  the  First  Parish  in  Roxbury  took 
place,  and  April  4,  1825,  the  first  meeting  of  the  First 
Religious  Society  in  Roxbury  took  place  in  the  Town  House. 

The  Act  of  Incorporation  is  as  follows :  — 

Commontoelll^  of  Passat^ustlts, 

IN    THE   YEAR   OF   OUR   LORD   ONE    THOUSAND   EIGHT 
HUNDRED  AND   TWENTY-FIVE 

An  Act  declaring  and  confirming  to  the  Pew-holders  the  property  in  the 
Congregational  Meeting-House,  in  the  First  Parish  in  Roxbury,  and 
authorizing  them  to  raise  monies  by  taxing  pews. 

Sec.  1.  Be  it  enacted  by  the  Senate  and  House  of  Representatives  in 
General  Court  assembled,  and  by  the  authority  of  the  same,  that  all  persons 
who  now  are,  or  may  hereafter  become  proprietors  of  the  pews  in  the  Con- 
gregational Meeting-House  in  the  First  Parish  in  Roxbury,  are  hereby 
declared  to  be  a  body  politic  and  corporate  by  the  name  of  the  "First 
Religious  Society  in  Roxbury,"  with  all  the  powers,  privileges  and 
immunities  usually  granted  to  such  societies:  And  said  Corporation  shall  be, 
and  hereby  are  deemed  in  law  to  be,  seized  of  the  same  Meeting-House  and 
the  land  under,  adjoining  and  belonging  to  the  same,  and  the  privileges  and 


224  THE   FIFTH   MEETING   HOUSE 

appurtenances  thereto  appertaining;  reserving,  however,  to  the  several  new 
proprietors,  their  rights  and  interest  in  said  pews  respectively. 

Sec.  2.  Be  it  further  enacted.  That  said  proprietors  shall  meet  on  the  first 
Monday  of  April  next,  and  afterwards  on  the  first  Monday  in  January, 
annually,  at  said  Meeting  House,  or  such  other  place  as  the  Standing  Com- 
mittee shall  appoint,  and  after  choosing  a  Moderator,  shall  choose  a  Clerk, 
who  shall  record  all  the  votes  and  proceedings  of  said  proprietors,  and  be 
sworn  to  the  faithful  discharge  of  his  duties ;  they  shall  also  choose  a  Treas- 
urer, who  shall  give  bonds  for  the  discharge  of  the  duties  of  his  office,  and 
also  a  Standing  Committee  of  three  discreet  persons  to  manage  their  afi'airs, 
to  continue  in  oflSce  one  year,  and  until  others  are  chosen :  Provided  however, 
if  from  any  cause,  any  of  said  ofiicers  are  not  chosen  at  said  meeting  in  April 
next,  or  at  any  annual  meeting  on  the  first  Monday  in  January,  said  officers 
may  be  elected  at  any  other  meeting  duly  notified  for  that  piupose;  and  said 
committee  may  notify  any  meeting  by  causing  printed  or  written  notifications 
to  be  delivered  to  the  proprietors,  or  left  at  their  dwellings,  three  days  at 
least  before  such  meetings,  or  by  leaving  the  same  in  the  pews  of  the  pro- 
prietors, should  a  day  of  pubUc  worship  intervene. 

Sec.  3.  Be  it  furtlier  enacted.  That  said  proprietors  shall  have  power  to 
repair,  alter,  or  rebuild  their  Meeting-House;  and  shall  have  all  the  rights  in 
relation  to  the  same  and  the  support  of  public  worship  therein,  which  said 
parish  have  hitherto  had,  and  shall  be  bound  by  all  the  contracts  made  by 
said  Parish. 

Sec.  4.  Be  it  further  enacted.  That  said  Corporation  may  take,  hold  and 
possess,  by  gift,  devise,  purchase  or  otherwise,  real  and  personal  estate,  not 
exceeding  forty  thousand  dollars  exclusive  of  their  Meeting-House  and  its 
appiu-tenances,  as  a  ministerial  fund,  the  interest  only  of  which  shall  be 
expended  annually  in  such  manner  as  the  Deacons  of  the  church  in  said 
society,  and  the  Standing  Committee  for  the  time  being  may  deem  fit,  or 
the  proprietors  by  their  vote  direct;  and  those  only  whose  pews  are  taxed 
shall  be  deemed  legal  voters ;  and  said  corporation  may  make  and  establish 
by-laws  for  the  better  ordering  their  affairs,  provided  the  same  are  not 
repugnant  to  the  constitution  or  laws  of  this  commonwealth. 

Sec.  5.  Be  it  further  enacted.  That  all  monies  necessary  for  the  support 
of  pubUc  worship  in  said  Meeting-House  and  incidental  charges,  which  may 
be  duly  voted  to  be  raised  shall  be  assessed  by  the  Standing  Committee  on 
the  Proprietors  of  the  pews  on  the  lower  floor  in  said  Meeting-House,  accord- 
ing to  a  scale  of  valuation  agreed  upon  by  a  vote  of  said  Parish  passed  on  the 
twenty-second  day  of  November  last,  which  is  not  to  be  changed  for  the 
term  of  ten  years  from  the  first  day  of  April  next,  but  after  that  time  may  be 
altered,  and  gallery  pews  may  be  included  if  deemed  expedient,  having 
regard  to  the  situation  and  value  thereof;  and  the  said  committee  shall  make 
out  lists  of  such  assessments,  stating  the  mmaber  of  each  pew,  the  name  of 


THE   FIFTH   MEETING   HOUSE  [225 

the  owner,  and  the  amount  assessed  thereon,  and  deliver  the  same  to  the 
Treasurer  who  shall  collect  such  assessments,  and  pay  the  same  out  on 
orders  to  be  drawn  by  the  Clerk,  under  the  direction  of  the  Standing  Com- 
mittee. 

Sec.  6.  Be  it  further  enacted,  That  said  proprietors  shall  hold  their  pews 
under  their  respective  deeds,  and  the  same  shall  hereafter  be  considered 
personal  estate,  and  whenever  any  transfer  of  any  pew  in  said  Meeting- 
House  shall  be  made,  the  old  deed  shall  be  given  up  and  a  new  deed  made 
in  the  name  of  one  person  only,  to  be  signed  by  the  Treasurer  and  counter- 
signed by  the  Clerk;  and  no  conveyance  shall  be  vaUd,  until  noted  on  the 
records  of  the  Corporation. 

Sec.  7.  Be  it  further  enacted.  That  if  any  proprietor  shall  neglect  to  pay 
his  or  her  assessment,  for  the  space  of  six  months  after  such  assessments 
is  laid  and  notified  by  posting  at  the  door  of  said  House,  the  Treasurer  shall 
advertise  the  pews  of  such  delinquent  for  the  space  of  three  weeks,  by  post- 
ing notices  at  said  Meeting-House  and  two  other  pubhc  places  in  said  town, 
stating  the  time,  place  and  cause  of  sale,  and  then  if  all  the  arrears  are  not 
paid,  he  shall  sell  the  same  at  auction  to  the  highest  bidder,  and  after  deduct- 
ing all  sinus  due  with  costs  of  sale  and  charges  of  conveyance,  shall  pay  over 
the  balance,  if  any,  to  the  owner. 

Sec.  8.  Be  it  furtfier  enacted.  That  any  person  wishing  to  dispose  of  his 
or  her  pew,  shall  first  give  notice  thereof  to  the  Standing  Committee,  stating 
the  name  of  the  person  to  whom  it  is  intended  to  sell,  and  offering  the  same 
to  said  Corporation  at  cost,  and  if  said  Corporation  shall  not  elect  to  pur- 
chase and  pay  for  such  pew  within  tliirty  days  from  such  notice,  the  same 
may  be  sold  to  one  person  only,  provided  all  dues  thereon  be  first  paid. 

Sec.  9.  Be  it  further  enacted.  That  this  act  being  accepted  by  a  major 
vote  of  said  Parish,  shall  be  binding  on  all  parties  concerned  therein  and  the 
present  Treasurer  or  Standing  Committee  of  said  Parish,  may  call  the  first 
meeting  under  this  act,  and  shall  continue  in  ofiice  until  others  are  chosen. 

In  House  of  Representatives,  Feb.  26,  1825. 
This  Bill  having  had  three  several  readings,  passed  to  be  enacted. 

WILLIAM    C.    JARVIS,  Speaker. 

In  Senate,  Feb.  26,  1825. 
This  Bill  having  had  two  several  readings,  passed  to  be  enacted. 

NATHANIEL   SILSBEE,    President. 
February  26,  1825. 

Approved.  MARCUS   MORTON. 

A  true  copy.    Attest:  Edward  D.  Bangs,  Sec. 


226  THE   FIFTH    MEETING   HOUSE 

At  a  meeting  of  the  Proprietors  of  the  Pews  of  the  First 
Rehgious  Society  in  Roxbury,  held  Jan.  15,  1855, 

Voted,  That  the  Standing  Committee  shall  not  be  at  liberty  to  expend  for 
any  object  more  money  than  the  Pew  Proprietors  shall  raise  and  appro- 
priate for  any  such  object;  and  shall  not  expend,  for  any  purpose,  not 
authorized  by  them,  and  shall  not  borrow  any  money  for  any  purpose  what- 
ever, without  a  special  vote,  nor  contract  any  debt  in  behalf  of  said  Pew 
Proprietors,  without  a  special  vote  of  said  Proprietors  authorizing  it." 

JOSEPH   W.   TUCKER,    Clerk. 
A  true  copy.     Attest: 

JOSEPH   W.   TUCKER,    Clerk. 

The  First  Annual  Parish  Meeting  (under  the  Society's  new 
title)  took  place  on  Monday,  Jan.  2,  1826,  and  thereafter  the 
Annual  Meeting  occurred  on  the  first  Monday  in  January 
in  each  succeeding  year. 

At  a  meeting  of  the  Society  held  May  10,  1830,  the  Vote 
to  call  Mr.  George  Putnam  as  Colleague  Pastor  was  passed 
unanimously  with  the  exception  of  one  vote  only.  The  per- 
son who  put  in  the  negative  vote  called  on  the  Moderator 
after  the  Meeting  stating  that  his  negative  was  not  on  account 
of  any  dislike  to  Mr.  Putnam,  but  on  account  of  his  having  a 
wish  to  hear  him  preach  a  few  more  Sundays  previous  to  his 
being  called  as  a  Colleague  Pastor,  and  he  further  stated  that 
he  would  wish  to  withdraw  his  negative,  and  that  the  choice 
might  be  considered  as  unanimous.  The  Church  Members 
of  this  Society  met  at  the  House  of  their  Rev.  Pastor  in  the 
evening  after  the  Meeting  of  the  Society  and  after  an  appro- 
priate Prayer  voted  unanimously  their  approbation  of  the 
doings  of  the  Society  in  calling  and  inviting  Mr.  George 
Putnam  to  become  their  Colleague  Pastor.  Mr.  Putnam 
replied  to  the  above  invitation  as  follows: 

To  THE  First  Christian  Church  and  Society  in  RoxstrRT 
Christian  Brethren     I   have  received  through  your   Committee  your 
invitation  to  become  Colleague  with  your  present  Pastor  in  the  Christian 
Ministry.     The  harmony  of  all  your  proceedings  and  the  apparent  cor- 
diality of  your  invitation  have  been  very  satisfactory  and  gratifying.    And 


THE   FIFTH    MEETING   HOUSE  227 

now  having,  as  I  believe,  weighed  the  subject  with  that  serious  dehberation 
which  its  importance  demands,  I  do  cheerfully  and  without  one  dissenting 
thought  or  feeling,  accept  your  call  and  consent  to  become  your  minister  as 
soon  as  my  professional  studies  shall  be  so  far  advanced,  that  I  can  obtain 
the  usual  testimonials. 

In  so  determining  I  have  marked  the  intimations  of  Providence,  I  have 
listened  for  the  injunctions  of  duty,  I  have  consulted  the  desires  of  friends, 
and  asked  the  counsel  of  the  wise,  and  all  these  concur  with  every  inclination 
of  my  own  bosom  in  dictating  the  answer  I  have  given  you. 

I  am  not  insensible  to  the  great  and  untried  responsibilities  which  I  am 
taking  upon  myself,  and  I  trust  that  the  cheerfulness  and  hope  vdth  which  I 
come  to  you,  are  tempered  with  a  just  diffidence  and  humility.  Cherishing 
a  deep  desire  and  firm  resolve  to  devote  to  your  service,  and  spend  in  the 
waj'  of  my  duty,  whatever  strength  Almighty  God  may  graciously  give,  I 
conmiit  all  else  to  his  wise  guidance  and  disposal  —  looking  for  his  blessing 
and  your  kind  indulgence. 

(Signed)  George  Pxjtnam. 

Cambridge,  May  21,  1830. 

June  15,  1830,  it  was  voted  that  the  Standing  Committee 
have  hberty  to  lower  the  Pulpit  fourteen  inches  providing 
on  examination  they  find  such  alteration  will  not  operate  to 
the  injury  of  any  Pews  in  the  Gallery  and  that  the  expense  be 
defrayed  by  subscription  and  not  by  the  Society. 

Wednesday,  the  7^^  day  of  July,  1830,  was  fixed  on  for  the 
day  of  Ordination  and  for  the  Council  to  meet  at  the  Norfolk 
House  at  9  o'clock  a.m. 

Some  of  the  parishioners,  feeling  disposed  to  encourage 
the  arrangements  that  were  made  for  the  Ordination  of  Mr. 
George  Putnam  as  Colleague  Pastor,  agreed  to  take  one 
ticket  each  at  three  dollars  for  the  Dinner  to  be  provided  for 
the  council  and  others  that  may  join  on  the  occasion,  they 
were, 

John  Bartlett,  D.  A.  Simmons,  Nath'  Dorr,  Charles  Hick- 
ling,  Charles  Davis,  Thos.  K.  Jones,  Caleb  Fellowes,  John 
Lowell,  Thos.  Simmons,  Dan'l  A.  Sigourney,  Isaac  Davis, 
Jos.  Harrington,  Enoch  Bartlett,  William  Phipps,  William  H. 
Spear,  Chas.  Davis  Jr.,  Horatio  Davis,  George  Simmons, 


228  THE   FIFTH   MEETING   HOUSE 

William  Fisk,  Mr.  Dyer,  Epli"^  Harrington,  W"  Dove, 
Thomas  Brewer,  B.  F.Copeland,  G.L.  Brewer,  Eliab  Brewer, 
S.  G.  Bobbins,  Sherman  Leland,  Benj.  Weld,  S.  C.  Thwing, 
Watson  Gore,  Asa  Bugbee,  Benj.  Balch,  John  Hovey,  S.  H. 
Hunneman,  Jos.  Callender,  W"^  Davis  Jr.,  F.  S.  Eastman, 
Jon^  Dorr. 

H.  A.  S.  Dearborn  was  absent  on  a  journey,  Joseph  Hall 
declined  his  ticket  and  Mr.  Lithgow  returned  the  ticket. 

July  7,  1830.  The  order  of  services  at  the  ordination 
of  Mr.  Putnam  was  as  follows:  Introductory  Prayer  by 
Dr.  Gray  of  Roxbury.  Selections  from  the  Scriptures  by 
Mr.  Austin  of  Brighton.  Hymn.  Sermon  by  Mr.  Dewey  of 
New  Bedford.  Anthem.  Ordaining  Prayer  by  Mr.  Osgood 
of  Sterling.  Charge  by  Dr.  Ware  of  Cambridge.  Right 
Hand  of  Fellowship  by  Mr.  Newell  of  Cambridge.  Original 
Hymn.  Address  to  the  Society  by  Mr.  Parkman  of  Boston. 
Prayer  by  Mr.  Capen  of  South  Boston.  Anthem.  Benedic- 
tion by  Mr.  Putnam. 

Rev.  Dr.  Porter  died  Saturday  night,  Dec.  7,  1833.  A 
Committee  was  appointed  to  make  suitable  arrangements  for 
the  funeral  of  the  revered  and  lamented  senior  Pastor  demon- 
strating the  affection  and  respect  with  which  the  Society 
regarded  his  pure  and  exalted  character  and  to  offer  such 
evidence  of  regret  and  condolence  to  the  Family  of  the 
deceased  as  may  justly  represent  the  intensity  of  interest  they 
felt  in  the  melancholy  event.  They  were  Deacon  William 
Davis,  Deacon  John  Clap,  John  Lemist,  B.  F.  Copeland, 
Watson  Gore;  the  Standing  Committee,  Dr.  John  Bartlett, 
Charles  Davis,  Joseph  Harrington,  Ebenezer  Crafts,  David 
Dudley,  Jon^  Dorr,  Sherman  Leland,  Sam'l  J.  Gardner. 
They  were  requested  to  meet  at  the  Church  directly  after 
the  evening  service.  On  the  succeeding  Wednesday  his 
funeral  was  attended  by  a  large  concourse  in  his  meeting 


THE   FIFTH    MEETING   HOUSE  229 

house.  The  exercises  began  with  a  voluntary  on  the  organ. 
A  hymn  was  then  sung.  Rev.  Dr.  Lowell,  who  in  early  life 
was  a  parishioner  of  the  deceased,  read  selected  passages  of 
Scripture  and  offered  a  very  appropriate  prayer  of  20  minutes. 
Rev.  George  Putnam,  colleague  of  Dr.  Porter,  delivered  a 
very  judicious  discourse  of  40  minutes  from  Gen.  xxv,  8, 
"  Then  Abraham  gave  up  the  ghost,  and  died  in  a  good  old 
age,  an  old  man,  and  full  of  years,  and  was  gathered  to  his 
people."  So  just  and  discriminating  was  he  in  giving  the 
character  of  Dr.  Porter,  that  they  who  best  knew  him  and 
were  best  qualified  to  judge  remarked  that  they  should  not 
desire  the  alteration,  addition,  or  suppression  of  a  single 
word.  The  services  were  concluded  with  a  prayer  by  Rev. 
Dr.  Pierce  of  Brookline  and  solemn  music  from  the  choir, 
when  a  procession  was  formed  to  the  place  of  interment  by 
a  large  number  of  parishioners  and  friends. 

Two  hot  air  stoves  were  placed  in  the  meeting  house  in 
1834.  For  the  saving  of  fuel  and  to  render  the  House  more 
comfortable  during  the  winter  months,  those  who  usually 
entered  the  Meeting  House  at  the  easterly  end,  namely, 
P.  G.  Robbins,  Elnathan  Taber,  William  Bacon,  Stephen 
Child,  Humphrey  Bicknell,  Charles  Davis,  John  Lemist, 
John  Bartlett,  Sami  H.  Hunneman,  Aaron  Kingsbury,  Aaron 
D.  Williams,  William  Dove,  Charles  Grant,  W°^  Phipps, 
Edw.  Brinley,  Aaron  Willard,  Charles  Copeland,  H.  Cunning- 
ham, D.  A.  Sigourney,  Sam'l  J.  Gardner,  Moses  Whiting, 
Naty  Snow,  William  Fisk,  William  Patten,  consented  in 
November,  1834,  to  have  the  Doors  at  that  end  of  the  House 
kept  closed  from  the  first  Sunday  of  December  in  each  year 
to  the  first  Sunday  of  March  following. 

Oct.  20,  1834,  John  Lowell,  Joseph  Harrington,  S.  C. 
Thwing,  Thomas  Brewer,  Thomas  Simmons  and  the  Stand- 
ing  Committee  were  appointed  a  committee  to   ascertain 


230  THE   FIFTH    MEETING    HOUSE 

whether  there  was  any  waste  room  in  the  Galleries  which 
could  be  used  with  profit  to  the  Parish  and  to  take  into  con- 
sideration the  expediency  of  making  a  general  alteration  in 
the  Gallery  Pews.  In  1835  a  plan  was  agreed  upon  and  the 
alteration  from  square  pews  to  long  and  narrow  ones  was 
made,  the  Committee  having  charge  of  it  being  Thomas 
Brewer,  Joseph  Harrmgton,  Thomas  Simmons  and  the 
Standing  Committee. 

Putnam  Street  was  built  and  the  Parish  lot  fenced  in  in 
1836.  There  was  a  stove  put  into  the  vestry  in  1836,  and 
during  the  same  year  Samuel  J.  Gardner  Esq.,  had  the  Bible 
presented  by  him  several  years  ago  rebound  and  Rev. 
Mr.  Putnam  presented  Pulpit  chairs. 

For  the  first  time  a  fixed  salary  of  $2000  was  given  Mr. 
Putnam  in  1838.  Jan.  4,  1841,  it  was  voted  that  no  Pew 
proprietor  should  be  permitted  to  vote  by  proxy  and  that 
each  pew  should  be  entitled  to  one  vote.  At  the  same  time 
a  committee  was  chosen  to  warm  the  church  by  a  furnace. 

In  January,  1842,  a  committee  was  chosen  to  take  into 
consideration  the  recent  invitation  of  the  Church  of  the 
Messiah  in  New  York  to  our  Minister  to  settle  with  them, 
but  fortunately  for  us  Mr.  Putnam  declined. 

In  1845  the  Standing  Committee  was  directed  to  adopt 
such  measures  as  they  might  deem  expedient  to  keep  the 
carriag-es  to  the  Westward  of  the  circular  walk  at  the  West 
end  of  the  Church. 

Wednesday,  July  31,  1850.  There  were  public  services  in 
the  church  on  the  occasion  of  paying  Funeral  Honors  to 
Zackary  Taylor,  late  President  of  the  United  States,  by  the 
City  of  Roxbury,  when  the  oration  was  delivered  by  Rev. 
Thomas  D.  Anderson. 

Deacon  Thwing  in  a  letter,  written  June  7,  1852,  and 
referring  to  the  day  before  says :  "  It  was  Communion  Sunday 


THE   FIFTH    MEETING   HOUSE  231 

and  this  service  was  the  most  touching  and  impressive  I  ever 
attended.  In  the  first  place  Two  Brothers  who  are  Twins 
offered  themselves  for  Baptism  —  this  to  me  is  always  inter- 
esting —  when  an  adult  offers  himself  at  the  Altar  to  show 
his  attachment  and  belief  in  his  Saviour.  Then  one  of  them 
held  up  his  infant  child,  after  which  all  partook  of  the  Sacra- 
ment. Before  commencing  the  Services  of  the  Communion, 
Dr.  Putnam  stated  with  a  few  remarks  delivered  with  great 
unction  the  desire  of  Doctor  Robbins  expressed  on  his  death 
bed  to  have  his  name  enrolled  on  the  records  of  the  Church, 
to  show  his  belief  in  the  strength  and  power  of  the  Gospel 
of  Jesus  Christ  to  comfort  and  support  him  during  his  pain- 
ful illness  and  in  his  dying  hours.  Then  eight  or  ten  joined 
the  Church,  six  being  young  ladies  and  amongst  them  Dr. 
Putnam's  Daughter.  I  think  I  never  attended  the  service 
when  the  impressions  made  upon  all  was  so  solemn  and  so 
great." 

In  January,  1855,  a  committee  consistmg  of  John  J.  Clarke, 
David  A.  Simmons,  William  B.  Kingsbury,  Cushing  Stetson 
and  Charles  K.  Dillaway  were  appointed  to  consider  the 
expediency  of  remodelling  the  interior  of  the  Meeting  House 
and  report  at  a  future  meeting.  They  reported  the  House 
very  much  out  of  repair  and  proposed  to  change  the  pews 
on  the  floor  to  long  pews  with  four  aisles,  two  by  the  walls 
and  two  dividing  the  floor  into  three  lines  of  pews.  Reducing 
the  number  of  windows  from  36  small  ones  to  ten  long  ones. 
Two  of  the  doors  of  entrance  and  exit  were  kept  closed  for 
the  purpose  of  accommodating  two  stoves  which  occupied 
the  door-ways:  Finally  two  reports  were  submitted  and  after 
a  long  debate  were  accepted  and  placed  on  file  and  then  the 
meeting  dissolved  without  further  action. 

In  1857,  the  Society  voted  to  remodel  the  Meeting  House 
and  even  went  so  far  as  to  consider  building  a  stone  Meeting 


232  THE   FIFTH   MEETING   HOUSE 

House.  The  services  during  July  and  August  of  this  year 
were  held  in  the  City  Hall.  The  Baptist  Society  and  the 
Mount  Pleasant  Society  offered  our  Society  the  use  of  their 
churches  during  repairs.  The  pews  were  upholstered,  the 
floors  carpeted  and  new  iron  posts  substituted  for  the  old 
wooden  ones  which  supported  the  galleries. 

When  this  Meeting  House  was  erected  in  1804  it  was 
without  the  vestry  and  the  "old  red"  painted  pulpit  was 
entered  by  stairs  from  the  floor  at  the  side.  Back  of  the 
pulpit  were  three  false  windows  covered  by  green  blinds,  one 
of  which  made  the  door.  (This  pulpit  was  similar  to  that 
in  the  Newburyport  church,  which  has  since  been  lowered 
twice  and  has  had  stairs  built  on  both  sides.)  When  the 
vestry  was  added  in  1857  the  stairs  were  removed  and 
entrance  was  by  a  door  from  the  new  vestry  in  the  rear.  At 
the  same  time  this  pulpit  gave  place  to  a  small  circular  one 
on  top  of  a  post  with  stairs  each  side,  the  vestry  door,  however, 
remaining. 

In  August,  four  new  clock  dials  were  placed  on  the 
steeple. 

In  1857  William  Patten  sold  his  pew  for  $400,  and  gave 
the  proceeds  to  the  Pastor  and  Deacons  in  Trust,  the  income 
to  be  given  to  the  deserving  poor,  except  foreigners.  In  1859 
Mr.  David  A.  Simmons  left  one  thousand  dollars  to  the 
Society  "which  sum  is  to  be  safely  invested  and  together 
with  the  increase  and  income  thereof  is  to  be  applied 
for  and  towards  the  erection  of  a  New  Meeting  House 
upon  the  site  of  their  present  place  of  worship  whenever 
such  new  structure  shall  become  necessary  and  for  no  other 
purpose." 

The  Society  contributed  in  1861,  $450  for  the  suffering  in 
Kansas,  and  in  1862,  $855.58  for  the  poor  and  the  soldiers, 
and  $994  for  the  Sanitary  Commission.     Aug.  31,  1862,  after 


THE   FIFTH    MEETING   HOUSE  233 

the  Second  Battle  of  Bull  Run,  the  Church  was  dismissed  to 
enable  all  to  go  home  and  work  for  the  soldiers,  as  hospital 
supplies,  &c,  were  much  needed.  In  1863  a  new  clock  was 
put  in  the  tower  of  the  Meeting  House. 

The  celebration  of  Washington's  Birthday  in  1864  included 
services  in  this  Meeting  House.  The  exercises  began  by 
the  singing  of  the  Battle  Hymn  by  the  Choir.  Prayer  was 
then  offered  by  Rev.  John  O.  Means,  and  the  Star  Spangled 
Banner  was  sung.  The  oration  was  then  delivered  by  Rev. 
George  Putnam,  D.D.  Dr.  Putnam  gave  a  brief  sketch  of 
Washington's  career,  "  to  bring  him  before  us  —  to  bring  us 
into  this  presence  —  to  lift  us  up  in  thought  and  sympathy 
toward  the  great  light  where  he  stands."  The  oration  itself 
is  too  long  to  print  here,  but  the  allusion  to  President  Lincoln 
must  not  be  omitted  as  it  was  received  with  tremendous 
applause. 

"The  nation's  banner  torn  and  soiled  in  battle  but  with  every  star  and 
stripe  kept,  whole  and  radiant  in  its  fair  expanse,  shall  be  brought  back  to 
the  capitol ;  and  it  may  well  be  that  he  the  illustrious  civic  leader  who  first 
flung  it  to  the  breeze  in  the  nation's  necessity,  should  be  the  man  whose 
hands  shall  be  pri\'ileged  to  furl  it  again  in  peace,  he  who  sits  worthily  in 
the  chair  that  once  held  Washington :  he,  so  honest  and  pure  in  his  great 
function,  so  wise  and  prudent,  so  faithful  and  firm:  God  Almighty  bless  and 
preserve  Abraham  Lincoln,  President  of  the  United  States." 

The  exercises  were  closed  by  the  singing  of  an  original 
hymn  and  a  benediction. 

The  Society  contributed  $933  in  1864  for  our  suffering 
fellow  citizens  in  East  Tennessee. 

In  1865  the  Society  received  a  legacy  from  Mrs.  Polly 
Robbins. 

A  service  in  memory  of  President  Abraham  Lincoln  was 
held  April  19,  1865,  in  this  Meeting  House  by  the  City 
Government  of  Roxbury,  the  order  of  exercises  being  as 
follows : 


234  THE   FIFTH   MEETING   HOUSE 

I 

Dirge,  by  the  Band 
"Rest,  Spirit,  Rest." 

n 

Selections  from  the  Scriptures 
By  Rev.  J.  G.  Bartholomew 

m 

Solo  and  Quartette  .  .   .  Mendelssohn 

"O  rest  in  the  Lord,  wait  patiently  for  Him,  and 

He  shall  give  thee  thy  heart's  desires." 

IV 

Prayer 
By  Rev.  Dr.  Thompson 

V 

Hymn  by  the  Choir 
"Peace,  Troubled  Soul." 

VI 

Address 
By  Rev.  Dr.  George  Putnam 

VII 

Selection 
'Cast  thy  Burden  on  the  Lord."     Mendelssohn. 

vm 

Benediction 

The  address  has  been  published  and  was  listened  to  in 
perfect  silence  by  a  throng  which  occupied  every  seat  and 
settees  placed  in  the  aisles. 

The  church  was  heavily  draped  and  extra  props  put  in 
to  prevent  the  galleries  from  giving  way  under  the  crowd 
which  packed  them. 

In  Oct.,  1865,  the  meeting  house  was  entered  and  about  15 
yards  of  carpet  on  each  of  the  aisles  cut  out  and  carried  away. 

In  April,  1866,  a  skylight  over  the  pulpit  was  constructed. 


C3 
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THE   FIFTH   MEETING   HOUSE  235 

Concerning  this  improvement,  James  Sharp  of  Watertown 

wrote  as  follows: 

"I  was  today  (Sunday,  April  22,  1866)  one  of  the  few  who  had  opportunity 
to  notice  the  effect  of  the  "New  light"  just  introduced  at  the  Meeting  House 
of  the  First  Religious  Society  in  Roxbury.  Not  however  without  some 
panes  as  it  appears.  And  the  first  gleam  which  met  my  eye  was  the  cause 
of  the  following  impromptu 

From  church  we  should  not  keep  aloof. 
Since  by  admission  tlii'ough  the  roof. 
The  Light  of  Heaven  is  clearly  shed. 
Direct  upon  the  Reverend  head. 
Light  from  above  can  here  be  sought 
To  illuminate  each  pious  thought 
And  lustre  new  aroimd  us  shine 
Of  truth  and  love  and  grace  divine." 

During  the  same  year  the  church  spire  was  rebuilt  and  the 
Society  contributed  $3400  for  the  sufferers  by  the  fire  in 
Portland,  and  $730  for  the  Freedman's  Aid  Society. 

In  1867  the  porch  of  the  church  was  enlarged,  and  in  this 
year  the  Society  contributed  $638.70  for  the  Poor  of  the 
South  and  $3095  for  a  Free  Chapel  in  the  Easterly  part  of 
Roxbury. 

April  13,  1868,  for  the  first  time,  the  church  was  decorated 
for  the  Easter  services  with  flowers.  Miss  iVnna  Everett 
and  Miss  Sarah  Gore  dressed  the  pulpit.  The  decoration 
consisted  of  a  cross  at  the  back  of  the  pulpit  and  a  few  wreaths 
and  Ivy  plants  around  the  base. 

In  the  spring  of  1871,  Rev.  Dr.  Putnam  asked  for  a  leave 
of  absence  until  October  which  was  granted  him  and  the 
Society  supplied  the  pulpit  during  his  absence. 

In  the  fall  of  1871  the  Society  contributed  $1727.50  for  the 
sufferers  by  the  Fire  in  Chicago. 

In  1873  Rev.  Dr.  Putnam  tendered  his  resignation  as 
Pastor,  but  he  was  persuaded  to  still  keep  his  position  and 
was  relieved  of  all  responsibility. 


236  THE   FIFTH    MEETING   HOUSE 

In  1875  Mr.  John  Graham  Brooks  of  Cambridge  was 
invited  to  become  Associate  Pastor.  He  accepted  and  was 
ordained  Oct.  10,  1875.  The  order  of  exercises  were:  — 
Reading  of  the  Scriptures  and  Ordaining  Prayer  by  Rev.  C.  C. 
Everett,  D.D.;  Ordaining  Address  by  Rev.  George  Putnam, 
D.D.,  who  gave  the  Right  Hand  of  Fellowship.  Sermon  by 
the  pastor  elect,  and  Concluding  Prayer  by  Rev.  W™  Newell, 
D.D.,  of  Cambridge,  who  had  extended  the  Right  Hand  of 
Fellowship  to  Dr.  Putnam  at  his  ordination.  Benediction 
by  Mr.  Brooks. 

In  1876  the  building  of  a  chapel  was  considered  and  soon 
built.  It  was  dedicated  Saturday  evening,  Dec.  23,  1876. 
In  the  order  of  exercises  were  selections  sung  by  children 
from  the  Sunday-school,  Invocation  by  Rev.  J.  G.  Brooks, 
Anthem  by  the  Choir,  Prayer  of  Dedication  by  Rev.  E.  E. 
Hale,  Benediction  by  Rev.  Dr.  Putnam,  besides  some 
addresses  and  more  singing.  It  was  called  Putnam  Chapel. 
The  Misses  Fisher  gave  the  beautiful  window  of  stained 
glass;  Mrs.  Franklin  Greene,  the  clock;  Mr.  John  J.  May,  the 
busts  of  Dr.  Channing,  by  Persies,  and  Dr.  Putnam,  by 
Greenough;  and  Mr.  Edward  B.Reynolds,  the  Bible.  The 
cost  of  the  chapel,  built  and  furnished,  was  $10,527.82,  entirely 
paid  for  in  1880  through  the  generosity  of  the  pew  proprietors 
in  that  year  who  then  furnished  the  balance  of  $5,000.00. 

In  1880  Rev.  Mr.  Brooks,  our  Pastor,  made  the  following 
report  to  the  Parish :  — 

The  objects  of  our  Society  —  Christian  worship  and  work  —  being  com- 
mon to  all  the  congregation,  it  has  seemed  to  the  minister  that  an  annual 
statement  of  the  condition  of  the  parish,  what  has  been  accompUshed  during 
the  year,  what  is  doing  and  what  should  be  done,  would  help  us  all  to  a 
more  intelligent  interest  in  the  welfare  of  the  society. 

It  is  in  the  hope  of  such  better  and  wider  imderstanding,  that  this  report 
is  given.  The  niunber  of  families  now  connected  with  the  Society  is  301 ; 
the  number  of  calling  places  316.     It  is  the  purpose  of  the  minister  to  call 


THE   FIFTH    MEETING    HOUSE  237 

once  each  year  upon  all.  Many  special  needs,  however,  such  as  sickness 
and  death,  make  much  more  calling  necessary.  During  the  last  two  years 
an  average  of  seventy-one  calls  per  month  was  made.  The  Society  is  still 
widely  scattered.  Eight  famihes  are  in  Brookline,  fourteen  in  Jamaica 
Plain,  three  in  West  Roxbury,  one  in  Newton,  one  in  Brighton,  nine  in 
Dorchester,  thirty  in  Boston.  It  is  yet  true,  that  the  situation  of  so  large  a 
number  of  families  makes  such  visiting  impossible,  as  the  minister  would 
gladly  make  for  the  sake  of  that  influence  which  comes  from  a  closer  personal 
connection  with  the  home  life  of  his  people.  Mostly  owing  to  this  condition 
of  the  Society,  also,  the  minister  often  does  not  hear  of  sickness  until  to  hear 
it  is  an  embarrassment;  he  therefore  earnestly  asks  that  he  be  informed  of 
such  events  as  he  would  gladly  know.  The  help  which,  in  these  days,  the 
minister  can  render  in  time  of  trouble  is  but  Uttle;  yet  no  kinder  service  is 
ever  done  to  any  minister  than  when  such  opportunity  is  confided  to  him. 
Nor  does  anytMng  so  strengthen  him  in  his  work  as  admission  to  the  deeper 
life  of  those  whose  Sabbath  worship  he  directs. 

During  the  year  five  couples  have  been  united  in  marriage,  tlu-ee  persons 
were  baptized,  seven  united  with  the  church.  The  number  of  deaths  ten. 
The  chapel  service,  begun  four  years  ago,  continues  during  sixteen  or 
eighteen  weeks,  from  November  into  March.  The  object  has  been  more 
especially  instruction  in  the  liistory  of  the  Ethnic,  the  Jewish  and  Christian 
religions. 

Rev.  Mr.  Brooks  resigned  in  the  early  spring  of  1882  and 
we  had  no  settled  Pastor  until  1883,  when  Rev.  James  De 
Normandie  was  called,  and  he  was  installed  March  14,  1883. 
The  services  included  the  Invocation  by  Rev.  William  H. 
Lyon  of  Roxbury;  Reading  the  Scriptures  by  Rev.  C.  Y. 
De  Normandie,  Kingston;  Sermon  by  Rev.  James  Freeman 
Clarke,  D.D.,  Boston;  Ordaining  Prayer,  Rev.  A.  P.  Peabody, 
D.D.,  Cambridge;  Right  Hand  of  Fellowship  by  Rev.  Edward 
H.  Hall,  Cambridge;  Address  to  the  People  and  Pastor  by 
Rev.  Edward  E.  Hale,  Boston;  Benediction  by  the  Pastor; 
the  whole  interspersed  with  music. 

In  1883,  a  new  Bible  was  presented  to  the  Society  by  the 
young  men  of  the  Parish. 

In  1887  a  committee  was  appointed  to  ascertain  the  rights 
of  the  First  Religious  Society  in  Roxbury  to  the  burying 
ground  off  Kearsarge  Avenue. 


238  THE   FIFTH    MEETING   HOUSE 

The  present  pulpit  was  built  in  1888,  and  it  is  similar  to 
that  in  the  First  Church  in  Lancaster,  built  by  Bulfinch  in 
1816.  At  the  same  time  the  church  was  painted  and  refur- 
nished and  gas  introduced. 

The  first  mention  of  ushers  was  in  1889,  when  the  following 
men  served :  —  William  Wells  Bosworth,  B.  P.  Cheney  Clapp, 
Nathan  S.  Robinson,  Channing  Robinson,  William  S.  Rumrill. 
An  attempt  was  made  in  1891  to  change  the  name  of 
the  corporation  to  "First  Church  in  Roxbury,"  but  it  was 
defeated. 

There  is  nothing  so  fitting  in  closing  the  account  of  this 
Historical  Church  as  a  brief  description  of  the  services  on 
the  One  Hundredth  Anniversary  of  the  Dedication  of  this 
House  of  Worship,  which  occurred  June  7,  1904.  Some  of 
the  descendants  of  those  who  worshipped  here  in  1804  were 
present  on  this  anniversary. 

The  order  of  service  was :  —  Organ  Voluntary ;  Anthem ; 
Invocation,  the  congregation  joining  in  the  Responsive  Ser- 
vice; Anthem;  Prayer  by  The  Rev.  Alexander  McKenzie, 
D.D.,  Minister  of  the  First  Church  in  Cambridge;  Organ; 
Hymn  in  which  the  congregation  joined.  Address  by  the 
Rev.  James  De  Normandie,  D.D.,  minister  of  this  church; 
Anthem;  Address  by  the  Right  Reverend  William  Lawrence, 
Bishop  of  Massachusetts;  Address  by  the  Rev.  Edward 
Everett  Hale,  D.D.,  of  the  South  Congregational  Church, 
Boston;  Hymn  in  which  the  congregation  joined;  Bene- 
diction. 

There  were  no  formal  exercises  of  unveiling  of  the  memo- 
rial tablets  now  in  position  and  seen  for  the  first  time,  the 
reference  to  the  men  thus  honored,  which  Dr.  De  Normandie 
gave  in  his  address,  sufficing  for  such  a  ceremony.  The 
tablets  were  those  to  John  Eliot,  Amos  Adams,  Eliphalet 
Porter,  George  Putnam  of  the  Pastors,  and  Thomas  Dudley, 


THE   FIFTH    MEETING   HOUSE  239 

Joseph  Dudley,  Paul  Dudley,  William  Dudley,  Charles  K. 
Dillaway,  and  John  Felt  Osgood  of  the  laymen. 

One  of  the  Daily  papers  refers  to  this  event  as  follows :  — 

The  observance  last  night  of  the  hundredth  anniversary  of 
the  dedication  of  the  present  house  of  worship  at  Eliot  Square, 
Roxbury,  the  old  First  Church  of  that  quarter,  was  one  of  the 
most  interesting  and  inspiring  events  that  has  occurred  for 
a  long  time.  The  history  and  tradition  of  which  it  is  now 
the  visible  and  venerable  symbol,  are  more  venerable  still, 
for  as  Dr.  De  Normandie  said :  "  For  273  years  there  has  been 
no  interruption  of  worship  on  this  hilltop." 

The  church  is  practically  coincident  with  the  history  of  the 
colony  and  stood  from  the  beginning,  not  only  for  the  strong 
virtues  of  the  Puritan  pioneers,  but  for  the  added  grace  and 
nobleness  of  Rev.  John  Eliot's  sjTnpathy  for  the  natives, 
which  neither  at  that  time  nor  to  the  present  day  has  been 
characteristic  of  Anglo-Saxon  colonizations.  The  glory  of 
the  spot  is  its  association  with  the  name  and  tireless  devo- 
tion of  "John  Eliot,  apostle  to  the  Indians."  This  alone  is 
enough  to  insure  it  a  chapter  in  the  annals  of  early  American 
history,  whose  glory  can  never  fade. 

This  feature  of  its  early  record  was  feelingly  and  beauti- 
fully dwelt  upon  in  the  noble  prayer  delivered  by  Rev.  Dr. 
McKenzie  of  Cambridge,  and  that  and  the  addresses  which 
followed  seemed  admirably  attuned  to  the  spirit  of  the  occa- 
sion. All  denominational  differences  were  put  aside  and  the 
broader  interests  which  the  event  suggested  were  merged  in 
common  Christian  fellowship  among  those  who  were  equal 
sharers  in  their  reverence  for  their  great  heritage.  The 
church  was  crowded  and  the  profound  silence  that  reigned 
throughout  the  exercises  was  an  eloquent  tribute  to  their 
interest. 


240  THE   FIFTH    MEETING    HOUSE 


REV.    GEORGE   PUTNAM,    D.D. 

Son  of  Andrew  and  Jerusha  (Clap)  Putnam,  was  born  in 
Sterling,  Mass.,  August  16,  1807.  His  early  training  was 
in  the  academies  of  Leicester  and  Groton.  He  entered  Har- 
vard College  in  1822,  and  graduated  in  1826.  He  was  plain, 
simple,  and  unpretending,  one  of  the  youngest  in  the  class, 
and  though  thoroughly  manly,  in  no  other  respect  old  for 
his  years,  the  soul  of  truth  and  honor,  respected  and  liked  by 
all  his  classmates,  dearly  loved  by  many.  He  held  a  high 
rank  in  his  class,  and  undoubtedly  might  have  had  a  higher 
place  if  he  had  striven  for  it. 

After  graduating  he  spent  one  year  as  a  teacher  in  Duxbury, 
and  then  entered  the  Divinity  School  in  Cambridge.  What 
his  success  was  there  may  be  inferred  from  the  fact  that  before 
completing  his  required  course  of  instruction,  he  received  an 
invitation  to  preach  as  a  candidate  for  one  of  the  oldest 
societies  in  New  England  and  that  after  officiating  but  three 
Sundays  he  was  called,  by  a  very  general  vote,  to  become  the 
associate  pastor  there  of  the  Rev.  Dr.  Eliphalet  Porter.  His 
letter  of  acceptance  is  dated  May  21,  1830.  He  was  ordained 
July  7,  1830.  Rev.  Orville  Dewey,  D.D.,  preached  the 
ordination  sermon. 

This  church  was  then,  as  it  was  at  the  time  of  his  death, 
one  of  the  largest  and  most  influential  congregations  in  this 
neighborhood. 

In  its  service  Dr.  Putnam  at  once  attained  the  distinction 
which  he  ever  afterward  held,  as  a  thoughtful,  interesting, 
wise,  and  eloquent  preacher. 

A  careful  student,  of  very  wide  range  of  reading,  he  made 
everything  contribute  to  the  interest  of  his  sermons.  The 
subjects  which  he  treated  in  the  pulpit  were  of  every  variety. 


REV.    GEORGE   PUTNAM,  D.D.  241 

and  before  he  had  been  long  in  the  ministry  of  this  Church, 
the  most  thoughtful  men  and  women  of  this  community  took 
every  opportunity  to  hear  him  preach,  whether  they  were  or 
were  not  members  of  the  same  rehgious  communion. 

The  parish  at  the  time  of  his  ordination,  and  for  some 
years  after,  was  essentially  an  agricultural  one,  a  majority 
of  the  members  being  substantial  farmers.  To  this  class  the 
new  minister's  style  of  preaching,  so  plain,  direct,  and  impres- 
sive, so  full  of  illustrations  of  God's  beneficence  in  nature, 
was  just  what  they  needed.  It  made  them  appreciate  their 
calling  in  its  religious  as  well  as  secular  aspect,  and  it  made 
them  respect  each  other. 

In  1831  Dr.  Putnam  married  Elizabeth  Anne,  daughter  of 
Rev.  Dr.  Henry  Ware,  Hollis  Professor  of  Harvard  College. 
Miss  Caroline  Porter,  Mrs.  Richard  Ward,  and  Mrs.  B.  F. 
Copeland  were  the  committee  who  furnished  their  home  at 
the  time  of  the  marriage. 

No  one  who  knew  Mrs.  Putnam  can  forget  the  beneficence 
and  beauty  of  her  character.  Where  she  was  there  was 
sunshine  ever.  She  had  a  ready  sympathy  for  all  in  trouble, 
and  an  open  hand  for  their  relief.     She  died  March  24,  1866. 

Gradually  in  the  course  of  ten  years  the  agricultural  ele- 
ment in  our  society  disappeared.  The  increased  volume  of 
land,  and  the  estimates  of  the  assessors,  drove  our  farmers 
to  more  profitable  fields. 

The  pews  they  left  were  soon  filled  by  the  commercial 
class,  many  of  them  from  the  highest  mercantile  houses  in 
Boston.  Some  of  these,  who  had  not  been  accustomed  to 
look  for  business  talent  and  experience  in  clerical  men,  were 
surprised  to  find  that  Dr.  Putnam  could  give  them  wise 
counsel  in  mercantile  emergencies,  when  even  the  oldest 
among  them  were  in  doubt. 

No  one  had  a  higher  estimate  of  mercantile  honor  than 


242  THE   FIFTH    MEETING   HOUSE 

he.  No  one  despised  more  heartily  any  deviation  from  it. 
Some  of  his  sermons  on  this  theme  were  of  such  singular 
merit  that  he  was  requested  to  pubHsh  them,  but  this,  hke 
many  other  such  requests,  he  generally  declined.  He  had  a 
singular  disinclination  to  publish  anything  he  wrote.  His 
common  answer  was  that  after  he  had  preached  a  sermon  at 
home,  and  three  or  four  times  elsewhere  by  exchanges,  it 
reached  more  than  would  be  likely  to  read  a  pamphlet. 

There  was  another  class  in  our  Society,  and  not  a  small 
one,  the  professional  men,  whom  he  delighted  by  the  beauty 
of  his  language  and  the  brilliancy  of  his  thoughts.  One 
trait  he  had  always  shoA^m  —  an  intuitive  sagacity  to  seize 
the  master  key  to  a  subject,  and  so  easily  open  all  its  parts. 

He  received  the  degree  of  S.T.D.  from  Bowdoin  College 
in  1845. 

In  1845  he  was  offered  the  chair  of  the  Hollis  Professorship 
at  Cambridge,  and  the  friends  of  the  college  urged  him  per- 
sistently to  accept  it.  The  possibility  of  his  leaving  our 
Society  of  course  produced  intense  excitement.  The  letters 
he  received  from  petitioners  and  remonstrants  would  make 
an  interesting  volume.  The  real  question  with  him  was, 
"What  is  my  duty  in  settling  this  trying  question.''"  Hap- 
pily for  our  Society,  and  for  him  too,  we  think,  he  decided  to 
remain  with  us.  The  interests  of  the  college  were  always 
dear  to  him,  and  at  a  later  period  of  his  life  he  had  abundant 
opportunity  of  showing  his  appreciation  of  them.  He  was 
from  1853  to  1877  a  most  efficient  member  of  the  corporation. 
His  services  in  that  position  were  greater  than  the  public 
knows. 

Dr.  Putnam  was  interested  largely  in  public  affairs,  outside 
of  his  professional  duties.  He  was  a  member  of  the  con- 
stitutional convention  in  1853 ;  one  of  the  presidential  electors 
in   1864,  and  with  Edward  Everett,  Ex-Governor  Lincoln, 


REV.    GEORGE   PUTNAM,  D.D.  243 

and  John  G.  Whittier,  voted  for  x\braham  Lincoln.  In  1869 
he  was  elected  a  member  of  the  Massachusetts  legislature, 
and  served  two  years  with  great  efficiency.  The  ability  he 
showed  in  the  discussion  of  financial  questions  and  kindred 
subjects  clearly  indicated  the  practical  character  of  his  mind. 

In  educational  affairs  he  manifested  a  deep  interest.  He 
was  chairman  of  the  school  committee  of  Roxbury,  and  for 
many  years  President  of  the  Board  of  Trustees  of  the  Rox- 
bury Latin  School,  President  of  the  Trustees  of  the  Fellowes 
Athenaeum,  Chairman  of  the  Trustees  of  the  Boston  Young 
Men's  Christian  Union,  and  one  of  the  Trustees  of  the 
Boston  Public  Library. 

During  his  whole  ministry  the  character  of  his  preaching 
was  eminently  practical,  and  some  of  his  most  effective 
sermons  were  those  addressed  to  young  business  men.  Every 
day  topics,  those  that  touched  nearest  the  lives  of  his  people, 
he  chose  most  frequently.  For  controversial  sermons  he  had 
no  taste,  or  belief  in  their  usefulness,  and  in  this  he  resembled 
his  venerable  predecessor,  the  Rev.  Dr.  Porter.  To  the 
good  sense  and  Christian  spirit  of  both  may  be  attributed 
the  harmony  which  has  always  subsisted  among  our  Roxbury 
ministers  of  all  denominations. 

In  the  spring  of  1871,  a  long  vacation  having  been  granted 
for  health  and  recreation,  he  spent  six  months  in  Europe. 
The  acquaintances  he  formed  there,  and  the  interesting  places 
he  visited,  were  ever  after  among  his  most  pleasant  memories. 

On  the  23rd  of  December,  1872,  he  attended  a  meeting  of 
the  Corporation  of  Harvard  College.  The  weather  was 
intensely  cold.  On  his  return  home  he.  was  stricken  by 
paralysis.  The  Society  took  immediate  measures  to  relieve 
him  from  all  anxiety  in  regard  to  pastoral  duties  and 
expressed  in  many  ways  their  sympathy  for  him  in  his 
invalid  state. 


244  THE   FIFTH   MEETING   HOUSE 

On  the  &^  of  October,  1873,  a  letter  was  received  from 
him  in  which  he  resigned  his  pastoral  office.  The  Society 
unanimously  passed  a  series  of  resolutions  expressive  of  the 
strong  attachment  of  the  people,  their  high  appreciation  of 
his  past  services,  and  their  unwillingness  to  accept  his 
resignation. 

In  view  of  the  impaired  health  of  Dr.  Putnam,  measures 
were  immediately  taken  for  the  election  of  an  associate  pastor. 
The  Society  united  in  giving  a  call  to  Rev.  John  Graham 
Brooks,  which  call  was  accepted. 

During  the  succeeding  year  the  senior  pastor  appeared 
often  in  the  pulpit,  but  rarely  took  part  in  the  services  beyond 
the  reading  of  a  hymn.  If  he  ventured  upon  a  sermon  his 
people  listened  with  increased  interest  to  the  words  which 
fell  from  his  lips,  for  they  were  conscious  how  soon  that  voice, 
which  had  so  charmed  them  by  its  utterances  in  the  past, 
might  cease  forever. 

The  last  time  he  was  heard  in  his  pulpit  he  spoke  with  his 
usual  impressiveness,  but  it  was  painfully  evident  from  the 
feebleness  of  his  voice  that  no  progress  had  been  made  in  the 
recovery  of  his  health.  By  the  advice  of  his  friends  he  did 
not  preach  again,  though  occasionally  taking  some  part  in 
the  Sunday  services. 

He  died  at  his  home  on  Highland  Street,  April  11,  1878. 

Rev.  John  Graham  Brooks,  a  Divinity  student  of  the 
class  of  1875,  Harvard  University,  was  ordained  Pastor  of 
this  church  Oct.  10,  1875.  His  work  in  the  church  will  be 
found  elsewhere,  in  the  Parish  report  of  1880,  the  Sunday 
School  and  the  Young  Men's  Union.  He  resigned  as  Pastor 
in  1882  to  study  Sociology  in  Europe,  and  has  since  been 
distinguished  as  a  Lecturer  on  Economics. 

Rev.  James  De  Normandie,  D.D.  our  Present  Pastor. 


DEACONS  245 


DEACONS 

Samuel  Sumner,  see  Fourth  Meeting  House. 

Joshua  Felton,  see  Fourth  Meeting  House. 

Nehemiah  Munroe,  see  Fourth  Meeting  House. 

William  Davis,  son  of  Moses  and  Hannah  (Pierpont) 
Davis,  was  born  Nov.  18,  1770,  and  died  Feb.  4,  1850.  He 
married  (1)  Polly  Smith  and  (2)  her  half  sister  Sally  Smith, 
both  being  daughters  of  Captain  Ralph  Smith,  a  prominent 
resident  of  Roxbury.  In  early  life  he  was  engaged  in  the  West 
India  goods  business,  which  was  not  successful,  and  later 
followed  his  natural  inclination  and  was  made  Principal  of 
the  Grammar  School,  now  known  as  the  Roxbury  Latin 
School,  a  position  he  held  for  many  years.  He  was  after- 
wards a  Trustee.  He  was  ordained  Deacon  of  this  church 
in  1819  and  held  the  oflBce  until  his  death.  He  was  Town 
Clerk  for  many  years  and  Parish  Clerk  for  one  year.  His 
home  was  situated  on  Lambert  Ave.,  on  the  hill,  and  here  he 
cultivated  a  beautiful  garden  of  flowers  and  various  kinds  of 
fruit  trees,  being  extremely  fond  of  horticulture. 

Ebenezer  Crafts,  son  of  Daniel  and  Abigail  (Kent) 
Crafts,  was  born  Jan.  12,  1779,  in  Roxbury,  and  died  there 
Jan.  10,  1864.  He  married  Sarah  Heath,  daughter  of  Major 
John  Jones  and  Sarah  (Heath)  Spooner.  He  cultivated  the 
farm  inherited  from  his  grandfather.  Deacon  Ebenezer  Craft, 
containing  about  fifty  acres.  He  served  in  the  state  militia 
as  Brigade  Quartermaster  with  the  rank  of  Major  and  was 
always  known  in  after  life  as  Major  Ebenezer  Crafts,  rather 
than  Deacon  Ebenezer  Crafts.  He  was  ordained  Deacon 
July  19, 1827,  and  was  a  friend  and  helper  wherever  help  was 
needed.  He  was  for  many  years  engaged  in  mercantile 
pursuits,  but  in  consequence  of  losses  in  the  crisis  of  1837 
withdrew  to  the  old  farm,  moving  back  into  the  house  in 
which  he  was  bom. 


246  THE   FIFTH    MEETING   HOUSE 

John  Clap,  son  of  Noah  and  Ann  (Clap)  Clap,  was  bom 
in  Dorchester,  Sept.  11,  1764,  and  died  Sept.  23,  1840,  in 
Roxbury.  He  married  (1)  Susanna  Robinson;  (2)  Priscilla 
Holden ;  (3)  Ann  Hawes  Pierce,  who  gave  a  communion  cup 
to  the  church  in  1830.  He  served  his  time  as  a  cabinet-maker 
with  Deacon  Munro,  and  settled  in  Roxbury,  carrying  on  his 
business  in  a  shop  which  stood  on  the  main  street  of  the 
town.  He  was  ordained  Deacon  July  19,  1827,  and  was  a 
truly  honest  man,  affable  and  remarkably  courteous  to  all. 
His  death  was  noticed  in  a  funeral  sermon  by  his  Pastor, 
Rev.  George  Putnam,  D.D.,  who  called  him,  "the  last  of  the 
Puritans,"  "one  who  embodied  in  himself  all  that  was 
respectable  and  lovely  in  the  primitive  worthies  of  New 
England."  "A  plain,  dowmright  man,  yet  affable  and  cour- 
teous, who  never  did  a  thing  for  show,  had  none  of  the  restless 
pride  of  life,  and  gave  the  world  the  spectacle  of  a  calm, 
cheerful,  blameless,  contented  old  age."  He  ever  felt  a  deep 
interest  in  all  that  concerned  his  church  and  his  native  town 
of  Dorchester. 

Jonathan  Avery  Richards  was  born  April  6,  1797,  and 
died  April  19,  1845.  He  married  Nancy  D.  Gore  in  1820. 
He  was  ordained  Deacon,  June  3,  1838,  and  resigned  in  1841. 
He  was  a  book-keeper  in  Boston. 

RuFUS  Wyman,  son  of  Zebediah  and  Eunice  Wyman,  was 
born  July  16,  1778,  and  died  June  22,  1842.  He  married 
Anne  Morrill  of  Boston.  He  fitted  for  college  at  Westford 
Academy  and  entered  Harvard  in  1795  and  was  graduated 
in  1799.  For  one  year  he  taught  in  Worcester.  In  1800  he 
was  entered  as  a  student  of  medicine  with  Dr.  Samuel  Brown 
of  Boston,  but  owing  to  the  illness  of  his  instructor  he  finished 
his  course  with  Dr.  John  Jeffries.  He  stayed  in  Boston  and 
then  moved  to  Chelmsford  thinking  a  country  life  might  be 
of  benefit  to  his  health.     In   1817  he  was  appointed  first 


DEACONS  247 


Physician  and  Superintendent  of  the  McLean  Asylum  for 
the  Insane  at  Charlestown,  which  position  he  resigned  in 
1834,  soon  after  which  he  removed  to  Roxbury.  He  was 
ordained  Deacon  of  this  church  in  1840.  Rev.  Dr.  George 
Putnam,  D.D.,  in  a  sermon  preached  after  his  death,  said  in 
part,  "  I  cannot  now,  I  could  not  in  his  life  time,  gather  any 
words  concerning  him,  but  words  of  commendation  and 
respect.  He  was  not  one  of  those  who  are  prized  after  death 
only.  His  character  was  of  that  positive  sort,  so  obviously 
and  constantly  ruled  by  high  principle  that  men  noticed  it 
while  he  lived,  as  they  only  note  those  who  are  really  above 
the  level  of  common  excellence,  who  live  not  by  exponents 
but  by  principle,  not  to  appearances  but  to  fulfil  righteousness 
for  righteousness'  sake."  He  was  appointed  to  various  offices 
of  trust  and  was  a  member  of  American  Academy  of  Arts 
and  Sciences  and  for  two  years  was  President  of  Massachu- 
setts Medical  Society. 

Benjamin  Kent,  son  of  Samuel  and  Rhoda  (Hill)  Kent, 
was  born  May  25,1794,  in  Somerville,  and  died  Aug.  7,  1859, 
in  Roxbury.  He  married  Eleanor  Bradford.  He  was  grad- 
uated at  Harvard  College  in  1820  and  from  the  Divinity 
School  in  1824.  Before  his  settlement  he  supplied  the  pulpit 
for  three  months  at  Washington,  D.C.,  at  a  period  when  the 
journey  there  and  back  was  performed  mostly  by  stage.  He 
was  ordained  as  Colleague  Pastor  to  Dr.  Allyn  in  Duxbury, 
June  7,  1826.  After  a  short  but  trying  and  very  laborious 
ministry,  he  resigned  his  office  of  Pastor,  June  7,  1833.  He 
was  chiefly  instrumental  in  establishing  a  High  School  in 
that  town  which  was  first  under  the  charge  of  Rev.  George 
Putnam,  who  afterwards  became  our  Pastor.  R.  W.  Emer- 
son in  answer  to  an  invitation  to  be  the  Phi  Beta  Kappa  poet 
thus  speaks  of  him :  "  May  I  take  the  liberty  to  ask  whether 
Mr.  Kent  of  Duxbury  has  ever  been  requested  to  write  a 


248  THE   FIFTH   MEETING   HOUSE 

poem  for  the  Society  ?  He  was  much  the  most  successful 
poet  who  appeared  on  the  college  stage  for  many  years." 
After  leaving  Duxbury  he  opened  a  young  ladies'  school  in 
Roxbury  in  connection  with  which  he  gave  courses  of  lectures 
on  scientific  subjects  not  confined  to  his  pupils.  He  was 
ordained  Deacon  of  this  church  in  1841  which  office  he  held 
until  his  death.  He  was  a  trustee  of  the  Roxbury  Latin 
School  and  also  for  many  years  Librarian  of  the  Roxbury 
Athenaeum.  He  was  a  great  lover  of  antiquity.  He  ran- 
sacked garrets,  collected  many  autographs  and  literary  docu- 
ments of  the  Pilgrims,  and  made  several  discoveries  of 
interest. 

Charles  Knapp  Dillaway,  son  of  Samuel  and  Mary 
(Knapp)  Dillaway,  was  born  Oct.  19,  1804,  in  Roxbury,  and 
died  there  May  2,  1889.  He  married  Martha  Ruggles 
Porter,  daughter  of  Rev.  Huntington  Porter  and  niece  of 
Rev.  Eliphalet  Porter,  D.D.  He  entered  Harvard  College 
in  1822  in  the  sophomore  year  and  was  graduated  in  1825. 
He  received  the  degree  of  A.M.  in  1829.  After  graduation 
he  was  for  a  time  assistant  teacher  in  the  Hancock  School. 
Li  1827  he  became  sub-master  of  the  Boston  Latin  School, 
and  in  1831  he  became  master.  Holding  this  position  for 
five  years,  he,  in  1836,  resigned  on  account  of  ill  health.  He 
was  through  his  life  interested  in  educational  matters  and 
for  many  years  was  regarded  as  a  standard  authority  in  the 
classics.  Some  of  his  publications  were,  "  Roman  Antiquities 
and  Ancient  Mythology,"  "The  Classical  Speaker,"  "Latin 
Classics  with  English  Notes,"  in  12  volumes,  "  Colloquies  of 
Erasmus,"  with  glossary,  beside  many  minor  classical  works 
and  fugitive  writings.  He  wrote  and  published  in  1860  "A 
History  of  the  Grammar  School,"  or  "  The  Free  Schoole  of 
1645  in  Roxburie."  He  was  the  author,  also,  of  the  valuable 
chapter    upon    education     in    the    Memorial    History    of 


DEACONS  249 


Boston,  He  was  secretary  of  his  college  class,  a  trustee  of 
the  Roxbury  Latin  School  for  50  years,  and  the  Secretary  of 
the  Board  of  Trustees  of  the  school  for  many  years.  He 
was  ordained  Deacon  of  this  church  in  1842,  which  office  he 
held  until  his  death;  Member  of  the  Standing  Committee 
1857  to  1863;  Treasurer  of  this  church  from  Jan.  27,  1862, 
until  1886;  Superintendent  of  the  Sunday  School  for  25 
years.  A  member  of  the  Board  of  Trustees  of  the  Fellowes 
Athenaeum  and  after  the  death  of  Dr.  Putnam,  its  President. 
Supply  Clap  Thwing,  son  of  Samuel  and  Sarah  (Homans) 
Thwing,  was  bom  Oct.  27,  1798,  in  Boston,  and  died  June  4, 
1877,  in  Roxbury;  married  (1)  Elsey  Fellowes  Davis;  (2)  Anne 
Shapley  Haven ;  (3)  Anna  Haven.  His  name  descended  to 
him  from  his  ancestor  Roger  Clap  of  Dorchester,  who,  during 
a  famine  in  the  town,  had  a  son  bom  on  the  day  supplies 
were  received  from  England,  and  showed  his  gratitude  by 
naming  this  son  Supply  Clap.  He  (Supply  Clap  Thwing) 
was  educated  at  Phillips  Exeter  Academy,  and  early  placed 
in  the  counting  room  of  James  and  Thomas  H.  Perkins, 
where  he  received  the  necessary  instruction  to  qualify  him 
for  his  future  career.  He  began  business  on  his  own  account 
in  1826,  and  for  fifty  years  was  actively  engaged  in  mercantile 
pursuits,  doing  an  extensive  business  with  New  Orleans  and 
the  East  Indies.  He  was  also  a  part  owner  of  vessels  and 
later  in  life  was  engaged  in  the  coal  trade.  He  removed  to 
Roxbury  about  1824  and  here  he  passed  the  remainder  of 
his  life,  and  it  was  among  his  neighbors  and  fellow  citizens 
that  his  truly  honorable  character  was  seen  to  the  best  advan- 
tage. In  1831  he  joined  this  church  and  ever  after  took  the 
deepest  interest  in  its  affairs  and  was  foremost  in  anything 
pertaining  to  it.  He  had  more  intimate  relations  with  Dr. 
Putnam  than  anyone  else  in  the  parish  and  was  frequently 
consulted  by  him  in  important  matters.     He  was  a  member 


250  THE   FIFTH    MEETING   HOUSE 

of  the  Standing  Committee  in  1831  and  1832  and  ordained 
Deacon  June  29,  1851,  which  office  he  held  until  his  death. 
He  was  Treasurer  of  the  Communion  Table  from  March  24, 
1858,  until  his  death.  Trustee  of  the  Grammar  School  in 
the  Easterly  Part  of  the  Town  of  Roxbury,  now  known  as 
the  Roxbury  Latin  School,  being  elected  in  place  of  Deacon 
Kent,  in  1859,  and  on  Oct.  29,  1862,  elected  its  Treasurer, 
which  office  he  held  until  his  death.  A  trustee  of  the  Rox- 
bury Athenaeum,  A  Vice  President  and  a  Trustee  of  the 
Institution  for  Savings  in  Roxbury  and  Vicinity.  He  was  one 
of  the  original  trustees  of  the  Fellowes  Athenaeum  and  his 
connection  with  it  may  best  be  told  in  the  words  of  Mr. 
William  C.  Collar  at  the  Dedication  Services,  July  9,  1873. 
"  Mr.  Fellowes  not  unnaturally  thought  of  the  city  where  he 
had  found  a  happy  home  for  almost  twenty  years ;  and  being 
in  his  later  life  a  great  reader,  he  designed  to  found  there  an 
institution  which  should  be  to  many  the  means  of  that  enjoy- 
ment and  culture  which  he  had  himself  derived  from  the 
best  literature.  But  fortunately,  before  he  was  fully  resolved, 
he  asked  the  advice  of  a  friend  with  whom  he  had  lived  in 
Roxbury  in  the  most  intimate  relations.  That  friend  sur- 
vives him  in  a  vigorous  old  age,  and  he  is  present  with  us 
to-day.  You  all  know  him  well, —  the  faithful  steward  of 
his  friend's  legacy  to  you,  your  friend  and  neighbor,  and 
mine,  the  friend  of  everybody,  —  Supply  Clap  Thwing.  He 
said  to  Mr.  Fellowes  —  I  give  his  own  words  —  'My  friend, 
your  mother  was  bom  in  Roxbury,  and  there,  you  say  your- 
self, you  passed  some  of  the  happiest  years  of  your  life.  We 
want  an  Athenaeum,  and  you  could  not  leave  your  property, 
outside  of  your  own  family,  to  a  better  object.'  Few  words 
but  fit  and  effective.  For  the  following  year,  on  reading  the 
will  of  his  friend,  Mr.  Thwing  had  the  satisfaction  of  finding 
that  his  appeal  was  successful.     But  I  have  omitted  one 


DEACONS  251 


circumstance  without  which  my  account  would  be  incomplete 
and  yet  I  know  not  if  I  have  a  right  to  disclose  what  was 
told  me,  perhaps  in  confidence,  months  ago,  and  what  I 
dared  not  ask  permission  to  make  known,  when  I  saw  that 
the  public  interests  demanded  that  the  whole  truth  should  be 
told.  I  say  '  the  public  interest,'  for  it  does  concern  the 
public  to  know  of  every  noble  and  unselfish  act  which  makes 
nobleness  and  unselfishness  easier  for  all.  And  it  is  due  to 
Mr.  Thwing,  though  I  may  offend  him  by  this  disclosure, 
that  you  should  know  that  the  planting  of  this  institution 
among  you  is  due  not  less  to  his  disinterestedness  than  to  his 
timely  and  prudent  counsel.  You  will  already  have  sur- 
mised something  of  what  I  had  to  tell  you,  namely,  that  a 
large  part  of  the  sum  which,  together  with  the  accumulated 
interest,  has  been  devoted  to  the  establishment  of  this  library, 
was  by  Mr.  Fellowes's  first  will  bequeathed  to  Mr.  Thwing; 
and  that  it  was  at  his  urgent  request,  when  this  became  Ivnown 
to  him,  that  his  friend  cancelled  the  legacy  and  increased  by 
so  much  his  bequest  to  you.  Thus  happily  what  the  splendid 
generosity  of  the  one  conceived  and  begun,  the  rare  unsel- 
fishness of  the  other  completed  and  crowned;  and  hence, 
while  we  shall  always  hold  him  in  grateful  remembrance  to 
whom  we  owe  this  noble  benefaction,  we  shall  honor  in  our 
hearts  the  not  less  noble  self-sacrifice  of  him  who  refused 
wealth  proffered  in  the  name  of  friendship  that  he  might 
bestow  enduring  riches  on  us,  and  on  those  who  shall  come 
after  us;  or,  still  better,  that  he  might  put  it  in  the  power  of 
each  and  all  of  us  to  enrich  ourselves." 

John  Hunt,  son  of  Elisha  and  lAicy  (^Calef)  Hunt,  was 
born  June  26,  1799,  in  Boston,  and  died  May  16,  1873,  in 
Medford.  He  married  (1)  Nabby  Williams  Esty;  (2)  Eliza- 
beth Gardner  Whitin;  (3)  Sarah  Jane  Symmes.  He  was  a 
morocco  dresser,  having  served  an  apprenticeship  with  Mr. 


252  THE   FIFTH    MEETING   HOUSE 

Isaac  Mead  of  Charlestown,  Mass.,  afterwards  having  a 
factory  of  his  own  there.  About  1840  he  removed  to  Roxbury 
and  had  a  factory  which  stood  beside  the  old  Eustis  Street 
Burying  Ground,  with  a  sale  store  in  Boston.  He  was  an 
Alderman  of  Roxbury  in  1852.  Also  a  member  of  the 
Mass.  Charitable  Mechanics  Association.  It  was  his  custom 
to  have  his  family  sit  around  him  on  Sunday  evenings  at  home 
and  to  read  from  the  Bible  and  sing  some  of  the  old  hymns. 
He  was  very  fond  of  singing.  He  was  brought  up  in  the 
Old  South  Church,  his  father  being  a  Deacon  there.  In  his 
younger  days,  when  other  boys  were  walking  the  streets,  he 
spent  his  time  in  his  room  improving  his  mind  reading.  In 
that  way  he  made  up  his  mind,  no  doubt,  to  take  up  the  Unita- 
rian belief.  He  was  a  member  of  the  Sagamore  Club  which 
began  meeting  at  each  others  houses  in  1850  for  simple 
enjoyment  and  a  clam  chowder  supper.  Among  its  members 
were  Rev.  George  Putnam,  D.D.,  Samuel  Walker,  Benj. 
Kent,  John  J.  Clarke,  Edwin  Lemist,  Manlius  Clark,  Thomas 
Adams,  F.  D.  Huntington,  Daniel  Leach.  He  was  ordained 
Deacon  of  this  Church  June  29,  1851,  and  resigned  May  11, 
1856,  on  account  of  his  removal  to  South  bo  ro  where  he  became 
interested  in  farming.  He  attended  church  in  Framingham 
where  he  also  was  a  Deacon.  About  1866  he  moved  to 
Medford. 

Adams  Ayer,  son  of  John  and  Susannah  (Emerson) 
Ayer,  was  born  June  18,  1823,  in  Haverhill,  and  died 
March  22,  1882.  Married  Martha  Augusta  Hinkley.  He 
attended  the  district  school  and  taught  for  a  time  in  the 
district  schools.  He  was  graduated  from  Harvard  in  1848 
and  from  the  Divinity  School  in  1851.  He  held  pastorates 
in  Chelsea,  Mass.,  Newport,  R.  I.,  and  in  Charlestown,  N.  H. 
He  resigned  this  last  pastorate  to  come  to  Boston  to  assist 
Mr.  Holmes  Hinkley,  his  father-in-law,  who  was  then  presi- 


DEACONS  253 


dent  of  the  Hinkley  Locomotive  Works.  After  the  death 
of  Mr.  Hinkley  he  was  chosen  to  fill  his  place.  He  made 
his  home  in  Roxbury  and  was  ordained  Deacon  of  this  church 
July  1,  1877.  He  was  a  member  of  the  Standing  Committee 
in  1872  and  1878.  He  was  a  member  of  the  Christian 
Register  Association  and  established  a  scholarship  at  Har- 
vard. Member  of  the  Common  Council  of  Boston  in  1870 
and  1871.  He  was  a  man  of  kind  heart  and  generous  hand. 
Joseph  Warren  Tucker,  son  of  Elijah  and  Rebecca 
(Weatherly)  Tucker,  was  born  Dec.  1,  1800,  in  Dorchester, 
and  died  April  21,  1885,  in  Roxbury.  Married  Mary  Porter. 
Until  the  age  of  21  he  worked  upon  his  father's  farm  in 
Roxbury,  having  no  advantages  for  education,  except  such 
as  were  afforded  by  the  district  schools  of  that  period, 
which  were  of  an  inferior  grade.  However,  by  special 
studies  after  he  had  come  of  age,  he  prepared  himself  for 
school  teaching,  and  for  some  years  taught  district  schools 
in  the  winter.  Then  he  began  to  serve  as  clerk  in  stores  until 
1827  when  he  went  into  the  grocery  business  for  himself.  In 
1827  he  was  chosen  chorister  in  charge  of  the  choir  of  this 
church  and  even  advanced  money  for  its  support.  From 
1837  to  1843  he  represented  the  town  of  Roxbury  in  the 
Legislature.  He  was  also  upon  the  board  of  assessors,  over- 
seers of  the  poor,  and  surveyors  of  highways.  In  1840  he 
was  elected  a  selectman,  serving  until  Roxbury  was  made 
a  city,  in  1846,  when  he  was  elected  city  clerk,  and  held  the 
office  during  the  whole  period  that  Roxbury  remained  a 
separate  city.  He  was  elected  clerk  of  this  Parish  Jan.  7, 
1850,  and  served  until  his  death.  He  was  a  member  of  the 
music  committee  in  1836  and  from  1849  to  1865.  He  was 
ordained  Deacon  of  this  Society  Jan.  1,  1882,  and  held  this 
office  until  his  death.  He  was  a  justice  of  the  peace,  notary 
public,  and  held  many  other  offices  of  trust. 


254  THE    FIFTH    MEETING   HOUSE 

Jeremiah  Plimpton,  son  of  Ziba  and  Olive  (Smith) 
Plimpton,  was  born  May  10,  1810,  in  Sharon,  and  died  Nov. 
28,  1892.  Married  Sarah  Davenport  Bradlee.  He  was  for 
twenty-five  years  a  school-teacher,  and  master  of  the  Dudley 
School  for  girls  in  Roxbury  from  1839  to  1855,  when,  finding 
his  health  somewhat  impaired,  he  withdrew  from  the  business 
of  teaching.  From  1862  to  1868  he  held  the  office  of  U.  S. 
Assistant  Assessor  for  3d  Collection  District  of  Mass.  He 
was  ordained  Deacon  of  this  Society,  June  7,  1885. 

John  Joseph  May,  son  of  Samuel  and  Mary  (Goddard) 
May,  was  born  in  Boston,  Oct.  15,  1813,  died  there  May  25, 
1903.  Married  Caroline  S.  Danforth  of  Norton,  Mass.  He 
was  a  graduate  of  the  Boston  High  and  Latin  Schools.  Mr. 
May's  eldest  brother,  Samuel,  having  been  educated  for  the 
ministry,  his  father  decided  that  he  should  be  educated  for 
.  commercial  life.  After  serving  his  apprenticeship,  he  became 
a  partner  in  his  father's  firm,  Samuel  May  and  Company, 
importers  of  hardware  and  metals,  established  in  1797.  He 
made  his  first  trip  to  Europe  in  1835  and  several  subsequent 
trips,  the  last  being  in  1896.  He  also  made  several  trips  to 
San  Francisco,  where  his  firm  had  a  branch  establishment. 
He  moved  to  Dorchester  in  1845,  where  he  bought  a  large 
estate  which  he  called  "  Mayfield,"  after  the  village  in  Sussex, 
England.  He  was  one  of  the  earliest  members,  and  in  some 
instances,  a  charter  member,  of  the  Museum  of  Fine  Arts,  The 
Boston  Athenaeum,  the  Massachusetts  Institute  of  Technology, 
the  Bostonian  Society,  etc.  He  was  one  of  the  wealthiest  and 
most  prominent  landed  proprietors  in  Dorchester.  Though  he 
was  offered  many  offices  of  trust,  having  often  been  urged  to 
become  a  member  of  Congress,  he  declined  all  such  positions 
with  the  single  exception  of  a  membership  of  the  school  board, 
which  at  that  time  needed  an  active  and  intelligent  worker. 
He   contributed   largely  to    the   town's   improvements   and 


DEACONS  255 


institutions,  giving  money  with  great  liberality  for  the  benefit 
of  the  community.  Although  a  merchant,  he  was  by  nature 
and  preference  a  student,  especially  of  the  domestic  history 
of  New  England,  which  was  one  of  his  great  pleasures  during 
his  maturer  years.  He  was  a  very  large  buyer  of  books  and 
accumulated  a  library  which  became  celebrated  for  its  size 
and  extent.  While  a  resident  of  Boston  he  was  a  member 
of  John  Pierpont's  Society.  On  moving  to  Dorchester  he 
joined  this  church,  of  which  he  was  a  member  for  nearly 
sixty  years,  and  ordained  Deacon  June  7,  1885.  By  virtue  of 
this  office  he  became  a  Trustee  of  the  Roxbury  Latin  School, 
member  of  the  music  committee  of  this  Society  from  1849 
to  1864.  He  left  a  record  of  fidelity  to  the  interests  of  the  city 
of  his  birth,  of  the  town  of  his  adoption. 

Henry  Dan  Wilmarth,  son  of  Daniel  and  Sarah  (Luke) 
Wilmarth,  was  born  Oct.  4,  1826,  in  Taunton,  died  May  4, 
1896,  in  Roxbury.  Married  Matilda  Reynolds.  When  only 
fourteen  years  of  age  his  father  died  and  he  was  obliged  to 
leave  home  to  seek  his  fortune.  He  came  to  Boston  and 
entered  the  employ  of  Kendal  Whitwell  &  Co.,  importers  of 
woolens,  remaining  with  them  through  successive  changes 
of  partnership,  finally  becoming  a  partner  under  the  style  of 
Talbot,  Wilmarth  &  Co.  He  was  ordained  Deacon  June  7, 
1885. 


256  THE   FIFTH   MEETING   HOUSE 

COMMUNION   TABLE 

The  first  mention,  in  the  Deacon's  Book,  of  anything 
relating  to  the  table  was  "At  a  Curch  Meting  Held  at  the 
Revem'd  Mr.  Porter's  Lodgings,  April,  1789,  Voted  the 
Deacons  Sell  Some  of  the  Church  plate  two  vessels  that  was 
Worn  out  and  purches  With  the  Same  a  New  tankard,  the  old 
plate  asayed  that  was  sold  twenty  Nine  ounces  &  Some 
peny  wait  &  sold  for  9.  6.  4." 

1789 
May  27,  the  tankard  Bought  ^  twenty  three  owences 
&  thirnteen  peeny  ^*  at  Seven  Shillings  pr  ownce  .     8.     5.  6 
May  1789.     Cash  Expended  to  purchase  This  Book 

for  the  church      10. 

Cash  for  a  Small  kegg  for  the  use  of 
Carying   the   wine   on   Communion 

Days 1.  8    8.  17.  2 

Ballence  Carr'd  over  9.  2 

(The  following  is  in  the  handwriting  of  Deacon  Supply 
Clap  Thwing.) 

"part  of  This  old  plate  sold  was  that  from  which  the  Apostle  Eliot  had 
administered  the  Communion." 
"how  short  sighted  !!!" 

A  Memorandum  of  the  Plates,  the  Property  of  the  First 
Church  of  Christ  in  Roxbury,  Taken  on  the  26  Day  of  Dec. 
1803  is  as  follows: 

One  Tankard  The  Gift  of  Mr.  John  Holbrook  to  the  first 
Church  of  Christ  in  Roxbury  1735  makers  name  W  Correl 
on  the  side  and  Led. 

One  Tankard  the  Gift  of  Mrs.  Susanna  Lamb  to  the  old 
Church  in  Roxbury  1743,  Mar^^*  on  side  SV 

One  Tankard  The  Gift  of  Mrs.  Dor.  Williams  to  the  first 
Church  of  Christ  in  Roxbury  1734  Mark  on  the  side  I  Hurd. 

One  Tankard  For  the  Use  of  the  Communion  in  the  First 


COMMUNION   TABLE  257 

Church  in  Roxbury  given  by  the  Widow  &  Children  of  the 
Gov  Dudley  1722  June,  Ma^r  IC 

One  Tankard  the  gift  of  Mrs.  Sarah  Mayo  to  the  first 
Church  of  Christ  in  Roxbury,  1740  makers  name  ID 


Supposed 

belonged 

to  the  church 

1650 


T 

One  Tankard  Mar'^*  on  the  Bottom  ,^^   maker  IC. 

FPCR 

One  Tankard  Mar^*      ^ »      on  the  Bottom,  IH  on  the  lid. 
lA 

One  Cup  Mark*  MT  side  HP  Bottom. 

One  Cup  Mar^t  WG  side  Maker  FD  side. 

W 

One  Cup  mar''*  — — ,  Maker  WC. 

One  Table  Spoon    no  Mark. 

In  1830  the  following  vote  was  passed: 

Whereas  on  account  of  the  Church  Plate  belonging  to  the 
First  Church  in  Roxbury,  being  very  Ancient,  much  worn, 
and  the  form  of  the  vessels  not  convenient   (being   chiefly 
Tankards),  it  was  thought  advisable  to  have  it  manufactured 
into  Cups  with  covers,  providing  the  expense  of  the  same 
would  not  be  an  objection,  and  our  Revd  Pastor,  Dr.  Eliphalet 
Porter,  was  authorised  by  the  Church  to  effect  the  same,  if  he, 
after  ascertaining  the  expense,   should  think  it  advisable. 
On  enquiry  it  was  found  the  old  plate  would  furnish  a  suflS- 
cient  number  of   Cups  with   Covers,  for  the   Communion 
Table,  and  have  an  overplus  of  old  silver  sufficient  to  pay  all 
the  expenses  of  the  alteration.     Mr.  Jones  of  Boston  was 
employed   by  our  Revd.   Pastor  to   Manufacture  the  new 
Vessels  and  as  Five  of  the  Old  Tankards  were  Gifts  from 
Ancient  Members  of  the  First  Church  in  Roxbury,  to  said 
Church,  Mr.  Jones  was  directed  to  engrave  the  names  of 
said  donors  on  the  Cups  made  from  said  Five  Tankards, 
and  the  year  in  which  they  were  given.     Also  To  engrave  on 
them  the  year  in  which  they  were  Renewed. 

William  Davis  (Deacon). 


258  THE   FIFTH   MEETING   HOUSE 

Inventory  of  Church  plate,  renewed :  — 

Two  cups  with  covers,  presented  by  The  Widow  & 

Children  of  the  late  Governor  Dudley     ....  1722 

Renewed 1830 

Two  Cups  with  covers  presented  by  Mrs.  Dorothy 

Williams      1734 

Renewed 1830 

Two  Cups  with  covers  presented  by  Mr.  John  Hol- 

brook 1735 

Renewed 1830 

One  Cup  with  cover  presented  by  Mrs.  Sarah  Mayo  1740 

Renewed 1830 

One  Cup  with  cover  presented  by  Mrs.  Susanna 

Lamb 1743 

Renewed 1830 

One  Cup  with  cover  presented  by  Mrs.  Ann  Clap, 

wife  of  Deacon  John  Clap      1830 

One  Table  Spoon  Renewed .    .  1830 

One  Plated  Flaggon,  purchased  with  overplus  old  silver, 
which  remained  after  paying  Mr.  Jones  Bill  for  making  the 
above  named  cups  and  spoon. 

The  above  first  made  use  of  September  5*^,  1830. 

In  addition  to  the  above  there  was  a  Christening  Bason 
(Silver),  presented  by  the  late  Mrs.  Martha  Porter,  wife  of 
the  late  Rev.  Dr.  Eliphalet  Porter. 

The  following  articles  were  presented  by  Deacon  John  Clap 
in  1630: — -A  new  Mahogany  Communion  Table;  Four 
Plates  for  Bread  (Plated  ware).  Two  handsome  covered 
Baskets  for  Church  Plate. 

William  Davis,  Senior  Deacon. 


COMMUNION  TABLE   MEMBERS 


259 


January  24,  1833. 

Cost  of  Communion  table  from  May,  1789,  to  Jan.,  1791, 
£19  135.  4rf.  and  in  1791,  .£11.  From  1789  to  1838  the 
yearly  amount  spent  for  wine  and  bread  for  the  Communion 
table  was  from  $20  to  $50,  the  balance  of  the  contributions 
being  placed  yearly  in  the  Pastor's  hands  for  the  benefit  of 
the  poor  of  the  Church.  The  Treasurers  of  the  Communion 
table  were :  — 

Deacon  Nehemiah  Munroe,  from  1789  to  Oct.  2,  1817, 
except  for  a  short  time  in  1816,  when  Deacon  Joshua  Felton 
officiated  in  that  capacity. 

Deacon  William  Davis,  from  Oct.  2,  1817,  to  1850. 

Deacon  Supply  C.  Thwing  from  March  24,  1858,  to  June 
4,  1877. 

Deacon  Edward  B.  Reynolds  from  Aug.  5,  1877. 

THE   COMMUNION   TABLE   MEMBERS 


1804 
July  22.    John  Champney. 
Aug.  5.  — 

Mary  Da\Ts. 

Sally  Wilson,  widow. 
Aug.  26.    Stephen  Child. 
Sept.  2.  — 

Ehjah  Lewis. 

Jesse  Joy. 
Sept.  16.    Elisha  Whitney,  Jr. 
Oct.  14.  — 

Jona.  Hill. 

Samuel  Newell,  a  student  in  H.C. 
Nov.  25.     Stephen  Brigham. 

1805 
Feb.  17.     Jona.  Williams. 
March  3.     John  Curtis. 
March  17.    W™  Tileston. 


April  14.    Nathaniel  Shepard  Pren- 
tiss and  Abigail,  his  wife   (fr. 
Ye  chiu-ch  in  Marlborough). 
May  12.  — 

Andrew  Newman. 
Jane  Barns,  wife  of  William. 
May  19.     Roswell  Pomroy. 
Aug.  11.     Luther  Richardson. 
Sept.  1.     Sam'l  Henshaw  Horton. 

1806 
Jan.  5.    James  Cawte. 
Feb.  23.     Simeon  Keyes. 
March  16.     John  Davis. 
May  11.    Samuel  Jackson  Prescott, 

A.M. 
May  25.  — 

W^  Pratt  and  Mary,  his  wife. 
Edw.  Jewett  Robbins. 


260 


THE   FIFTH    MEETING    HOUSE 


June  15.     Jonas  Randall  and  Mary, 

his  wife. 
Aug.  10.     Sam'l  Langley. 
Aug.  31.     Priscilla     Clap,    wife    of 

John. 
Oct.  5.     Abijah  Merriam. 
Oct.  19.     Martha   Sumner    (at  her 

father's  being  sick). 
Nov.  2.  — 

Edward  Sumner. 

Henry  Payson  Siunner  and  Maria, 

children  of  Edward. 
Dec.  7.   Fanny  LeTias,  wife  of  Elijah. 

1807 
Jan.  18.  — 

Warren  Marsh. 

Hannah  Lewis,  wife  of  James. 

Mary  Smith,  widow. 
Feb.  8.  Calvin  Ware. 
March  15.  — 

Theodore  Kingsbury. 

Joseph  Thurston. 

John  Houghton  and   Nancy,  his 
wife. 
May  31.     Stephen  Loud. 
June  21.  — 

Chenery  Clark. 

Nath»  ElUs. 

Isaac  Goddard. 
Aug.  2.  — 

Ehzabeth  Ward,  wife  of  John. 

Thomas  Dudley. 

W™  WjTaan  Jr. 
Aug.  23.  — 

Thomas  Curtis. 

Amos  Adams  Mears. 
Sept.  27.     Lois  Wilhams,  widow. 
Oct.  25.  — 

James  Lewis. 

Samuel  Swift. 
Nov.  8.  — 

John  Holbrook  Hawse. 


Nov.  8.  — 

Sam'l  Silsby. 
Nov.  15.    Aaron  Gay. 
Nov.  22.     Asa  Whitney. 
Dec.  20.    W^  CasweU. 
Dec.  27.     Samuel  Seaverns. 

1808 
Jan.  3.     Samuel  Guild. 
Jan.  17.     Seth  Tucker. 
Feb.  28.     James  Blake. 
March  6.     Ann  Dorr. 
April  10.  — 

Jonathan  Freeman  Cook. 

Henry  Pomroy. 

John  S.  Williams  and  Nancy,  his 
wife. 
June  26.     Eben  Craft. 
July  3.     Susan  Sloan. 
Sept.  18.    Hervey  Wood. 
Sept.  25.  — 

Caleb    Dickerman   &    Sally,   his 
wife. 

Isaac  Silsby. 
Nov.  13.     WiUiam  White. 

1809 
April  9.  — 

Eben  Swift  Pierce. 

Simeon  Stearns. 
July  30.  — 

Barbara  Fullerton. 

Mary  Baker  Pratt. 

Lois  Eaton  Knight. 

Ehzabeth  Whitney,  wife  of  Daniel. 
Aug.  27.     Polly  Wilhams. 
Oct.  22.  — 

Ehzabeth  Champney,  widow. 

Mehitabel  Curtis. 

1810 
Feb.  11.     Ehphalet  Everett. 
Feb.  18.     Susanna    Smith,  wife   of 
Jeremiah  P. 


COMMUNION    TABLE    MEMBERS 


261 


April  8.  — 

George  Ware. 

Mary  Ware. 
April  29.  — 

Rufus  Converse. 

Antipas  Newton. 
June  3.     Mary  Bradley. 
July  1.  - 

Isaac  Curtis. 

Charlotte  Seaverns. 
Nov.  11.  — 

William  Seaver. 

Martha  Seaver,  w.  of  William. 
Dec.  9.     Wilham  Langley. 

1811 
Feb.  3.     Samuel  Dudley. 
March  10.  — 

Thomas   Cheney    and  Sarah,  his 

■wife. 
Edward  Severy  and  his  wife. 
April  7.     John  Stephens. 
Nov.  24.     Daniel    Hammond  and 
Sally,  his  wife. 

1812 

Jan.  12. — 

Wilham  Cheney. 

Abigail  Seaver,  widow. 
April  5.  Abigail  Harris. 
May  3.    Amasa  Smith    &  Martha 

Ruggles,  his  wife. 
May  31.  — 

Abigail  Sumner. 

Deborah  W.  Sumner. 

Nancy  Simmer. 

1813 
Feb.  21.     James  Adams. 
March  7.  — 

Elizabeth  Weld,  w.  of  Samuel. 

Lucy  Williams. 

John  Ward,  Jr. 


April  4.     Joseph     Harrington    and 

Rebecca,  liis  wife. 
June  13.    David  Burtt   and  Sally, 

his  wife. 
July  25.     Jolm  Mecuen  and  wife. 
Aug.  22.  — 

Mary  Shattuck. 
Martha  Shuttuck. 
Aug.  29.    Timothy  Dexter  Brown. 
Nov.  14.     Betsy    Shepard,    w.     of 
Charles  of  k.H. 

1814 

Feb.  27.     James  Blackman. 

April  3.     EUzabeth  Bent. 

June  26.    Abigail   S.   Whiting,  w. 

of  Joel. 
July  24.     Jabez  Nason  and  Ehzab 

Ann,  his  wife. 
Sept.  18.  Lewis   Morse   and  Mary, 

his  wife. 
Sept.  25.     John  Ersldne. 

1815 

Jan.  8.     Sally    Hammond,    w.     of 

Daniel. 
Feb.  5.  — 

Mary  Adams,  w.  of  James. 
Abigail  Bartlett,  w.  of  Dr.  B. 
Aaron   DavTS    and    Theoda,    his 

wife. 
Martha  Williams. 
March  5.  — 
Caroline  Porter. 
Huldah  Stoddard,  widow. 
April  30.    Hannah  Pond,  w.  of  John. 
May  21.     Louisa  Burton,     w.      of 

John. 
May  28.     Sarah   Sanderson,  w.    of 

Daniel. 
June  25.     Brooks       Kendall      and 
Eunice,  his  wife. 


262 


THE   FIFTH    MEETING   HOUSE 


July  30.     Abner  Willett. 

Aug.  20.     Debby  Sea ver,  widow. 

Oct.  15.  — 

Sally  Biu-ditt. 

Harriot  Burditt. 
Nov.  5.     John  Green. 

1816 
Jan.  7.  — 

William    Davis    and    Sarah,    his 

wife. 
Aaron  Davis  Williams  and  Nancy, 
his  wife. 
April  7.     Cahin  Baker. 
April  14.     Calvin  Warren. 
May   26.      Susanna  Robinson 

Clap,  d.  of  Deacon  John  Clap. 
Nov.   10.      Samuel    Sprague    Wil- 
liams and  Lucy,  his  wife. 
Dec.  1.  — 
Isaac  Rand. 
Nehemiah  Da\'is  Wilhams. 

1817 

Feb.  2.     Mary  Ward,  w.  of  John  Jr. 
June  8.      Matthew     Walker      and 

his  wife. 
June  22.     Ebenezer  Crafts  and  wife. 
June  28.     Joel  Wheeler  and  his  wife. 
Sept.  14.     John  Lemist. 
Nov.  9.  — 

Elizabeth  Champney,  widow. 

Asa  Whitney  and  Mary,  his  wife. 

1818 

April  19.     Thomas  W.  Scott. 
April  26.     Sarah  Wyman,  wife. 
June  7.     Polly  Smith  Heath,  wife. 
Jime  21.  — 

Amy  Baker,  w.  of  David. 

Sally  Patten,  w.  of  William. 
July  5.     Asa  Wyman  and  wife. 


Aug.  16.     Dorothy  Davis,  widow. 
Sept.  13.     Ann  Calder. 

1819 
Aug.  15.  — 

Harriet  Blanchard,  w.  of  Wilham. 

Susan  Dorr,  w.  of  Nathaniel. 
Oct.  10.     Mary  Newell. 

1820 
May  21.     Lydia  Wilhams. 

1821 
July  15.  — 
Richard  Austin. 
William  Fiske  and  wife. 

1822 

Feb.  3.     Isaac  Davis. 
March  24.  — 

Sarah  Ann  Clap. 

Lucy  Clap. 
Oct.  6.  — 

Asa  Bugbee. 

Eleanor  Kent. 
Dec.  1.     EUzabeth  Patrick. 
Dec.  15.  — 

Josh  ua  B .  Fowle  and  Ehz . ,  his  wife . 

Lemuel  Bradlee. 
Dec.  29.     Ezra  Morse  and  Rebecca, 
his  wife. 

1823 
June  15.     Mary  Phelps. 

1824 
March      14.     Isaac    Wyman     and 

Cath.,  his  w. 
April  18.     Abigail  Smith,  widow. 
May  16.  — 

Susamiah  and  Sarah  Davis. 


COMMUNION   TABLE    MEMBERS 


263 


May  16.  — 

Charles   Fox  and   Mary  Louisa, 

his  Tvife. 
Martha  R.  Porter. 
EUzabeth  Weld,  w.  of  Benjamin. 

1825 
June  26.     Timothy  Gay  and   Mary 

W.,  his  wife. 
July  17.     Daniel  A.  Sigourney. 
Aug.  7.     Ann  L.  Fearing,  wife. 
Oct.  30.    Lydia  Wait. 

1826 
Aug.  6.  — 

Mary  Sumner  Patten. 
Sally  Patten. 
Nov.    26.     Samuel    H.    Hunneman 
and  Eliz.,  his  wife. 

1827 
Jan.  7.     Samuel  Payson  and  Lydia, 

his  wife. 
Sept.  2.    Sylvia  Patch. 

1829 
April  5.     Edward  W.  Bradley  and 
Sarah,  his  wife. 

1830 
July  4.  — 

Greorge    Putnam    (fr.    University 

Church,  Cambridge). 
Jemima  Bicknell,  w.  of  Humphrey 
Hannah  Robertson,  widow. 
Harriet  Robertson,  widow. 

1831 
March  6.  — 

Jonathan  A.  Richards. 
Mrs.  Richards. 
Anna  Blaney,  widow. 


March  6.  — 

Susannah  Maccarty. 
April  3.     Mary  Pratt,  widow. 
May  1.  — 

Juha  Hill,  widow. 

Charles  Hickling. 

Ehza  Hickling. 

Harriet  Edes. 
June  5.  — 

Mrs.  Dearborn,  w.  of     Gen.   H. 
A.  S.  Dearborn. 

Supply  Clap  Thwing  transferred 
from  First  Church,  Boston  with 
Elsey,  his  wife. 

Mrs.  Sarah  Thwing,  widow,  trans- 
ferred from  First  Church,  Bos- 
ton. 
July  3.  — 

Salome  Da\as,  w.  of  Isaac. 

William  Whiting. 

Nancy  F.  W^hiting. 

Elizabeth  A.  Putnam. 
Date    unknown. 

Joseph  R.  Newell. 
Date  unknown. 

Ann  Lewis. 

1832 
Date  unknown.  — 
Mary  Baker. 
Stedman  Williams. 

1833 
Dec.      Martha    R.     Simmons,    w. 

of  David  A. 
Date  unknown.  — 

Nancy  D.  Simmons  (Mrs.  Fisher) 

bap. 
Betsey  Saunderson. 

1834 
Feb.  — 

Hannah  D.  WiUiams. 


264 


THE   FIFTH    MEETING   HOUSE 


Feb.  — 

Mary  W.  Williams. 
March.  — 

Charlotte  E.  Whiting. 

Roxarma  C.  Whiting. 

Benjamin  Kent  transferred  from 
church  in  Duxbury. 
April.     Elizabeth  Hohnes,  bap. 
Jime.    Polly  H.  Patten. 
July.     John  Parker. 
Sept.  — 

Margaret  D.  Heath. 

Sarah  H.  Shaw. 
Dec.— 

Abijah  Merriam. 

Mrs.  A.  Merriam. 

Hannah  Merriam. 

Sarah  H.  Simmons. 

1835 
June.     Sophia  T.  Toi\Tisend,  bap. 


1836 
July.— 

Gardner  L.  Chandler 
Lucretia  C.  Chandler 
Mary    Ann    Chandler 

EUzabeth  F.  Chandler. 
Sept.  — 

Joseph  H.  Gardner. 
Charles  K.  Dillaway. 
Mary  Emma  Dillaway. 


1837 
Jan.     Susanna  Smith. 
July.     Joseph  Harrington  Jr. 
Aug. — 

Rebecca  C.  Clarke. 

Frances  C.  Lemist. 
Sept.  — 

Elizabeth  Weld. 

Caroline  Weld. 


from 
Trinity 
Church, 
Boston. 


Sept.  — 

Susan  Weld. 

Helen  Louisa  Perkins. 

Rufus  Wyman,   transferred   from 
Church  at  East  Cambridge. 
Oct.     Margaret  Fenno. 

1838 
Jan.     Isaac  H.  Carey. 

Phebe  P.  Carey. 

Sophia  J.  Snow. 

Ann  M.  Hill. 
Sept.  — 

Henry  White  Pickering. 

Frances  D.  Pickering. 
Oct.     Mrs.  JuUa  F.  Copeland. 
Nov.     Mrs.  EUzabeth  Francis,    w. 

of  Eben  T. 
Dec.     Juha  Leland. 

1839 

May.  — 

Henry  Lehman. 

Sarah  FUmore. 

Aima,  w.  of  W.  I.  Loring. 
Sept.  — 

Nabby  L.  Durant,  widow. 

Rebekah  Harrington,  w.  of  Jos.  H. 
Nov.  — 

Sarah,  w.  of  Jos.  D.   Gould. 

Grace  C.  Fiske. 

1841 

Feb. — 

Hem-y  F.  Harrington. 

Elizabeth  D.  Harrington. 

EUzabeth  Codman. 
March.  — 

Mary  Fairbanks. 

Wm.  Henry  Fairbanks. 

Richard  Wardl  from  West 

Lucy  Ward      [  Church,  Boston. 
May.     Margaret  Bacon. 


COMMUNION   TABLE    MEMBERS 


265 


June.  — 

Deborah  Newman. 
Mary  Newman. 
Margaret  Newman. 
Anna  B.  Newman. 
Susan  D.  Newman. 
Elizabeth  O.  Baldwin. 
Caroline  Prentiss. 


1842 

March  — 

Sarah  Bartlett. 

Susan  B.  Hunt. 
May — 

Catherine  G.  Gore. 

Jane  J.  Willard. 
June  — 

Harriet  Davis. 

Sarah  Davis  Bradley. 
July.     Thomas  Simmons. 
Aug. — 

Ann  D.  Bartlett. 

Jane  Bartlett. 

Elizabeth  R.  Perkins 

Allen  Putnam. 
Sept.  — 

James  Sturgis. 

Charles  Blanchard. 

Ann  I.  Blanchard. 

Charles  Briggs. 

EUzabeth  Briggs. 
Oct. — 

John  Hunt. 

Elizabeth  Hunt. 

Frances  G.  Train. 

Eliza  E.  Hickling. 

Ephraim  Harrington. 

Maria  Harrington. 

Daniel  Sigourney. 

Nathaniel  P.  Lovering. 

Mary  L.  Lovering. 


Oct.  — 

Watson  Gore  Jr. 

Jeremiah  Plympton. 

Sarah  D.  Plympton. 

John  J.  Clarke. 

Nahum  Ward. 

Susan  Ward. 

Ozias  Field. 

Jonathan  P.  Robinson. 

Catherine  L.  Robinson. 

Walter  Farnsworth. 

Ehzabeth  Farnsworth. 

Moses  Gragg       1  from 

Rebekah  Gragg  j     Milton. 

Augustus  Perrinl  from  West 

Harriet  Perrin    J  Chiu-ch,  Boston. 

Jonathan  Chapman. 

Lucinda  Chapman. 

1843 
Feb. — 

Ann  Wyman. 

Stephen  Child. 

Rebecca  Child. 

Geo.  H.  Crossman. 

Hannah  Crossman. 
March.  — 

N.   Proctor  Smith. 

Dorcas  C.  Smith. 

Hannah  Bardakin. 

John  S.  Wilhams. 

Ellen  M.  WiUiams. 
April.  — 

Ann  Matilda  Brinley. 

Ar  Rea  1    from  Salem 

M.  Rea  J     North  Church. 

]from  Charleston, 
S.  C.  (Dr.  GU- 


J.  Amory  Davis  I 
Emily  P.  Davis  [ 

G«o.  Norwood. 

Norwood. 

John  Rogers. 


man's) . 


266 


THE   FIFTH    MEETING   HOUSE 


April.  — 

Aug.     Charles  F.  Bradford. 

Sarah  Ellen  Rogers. 

Oct. — 

Hezekiah  Blanchard 

Clarence  C.  Cook. 

Blanchard 

from 

" 

from 

Sam   Phipps 

Church 

Rebekah  A.  Lowell 

King's 

Mary  A.  K.  Phipps 

in  Dor- 

Anna C.  Lowell 

Chapel, 

, 

chester. 

J 

Boston. 

Dec. — 

Mary  Howe,  w.  of  Abraham. 

Edward  C.  Bates. 

F.  Howe  from  Suffolk  St.  Church, 

Mary  C.  Bates. 

Boston. 

May.     Thomas  P.  Codman. 

1846 

Sept.  — 

from 

Jan.     Catherine  L.  Bowles. 

Charlotte  Dorr 

Hollis  St. 

April.  — 

Charlotte  P.  Don- 

Church, 

Emily  P.,  w.  of  Nath^.  Dorr. 

Helen  A.  Dorr 

Boston. 

Sarah  W.  Taber. 

Oct.     Mary  E.  Davis. 

June.  — 

Nov.  — 

Samuel  Perkins. 

Hester  Billings. 

EUza  D.  Sumner,  from  Church  in 

Benj.  E.  Cotting. 

Keene,  N.  H. 

Catherine  G.  Cotti 

ng- 

Oct.    Mary  D . ,  w.  of  Henry  Winsor. 

1844 
Jan.  — 

George  W.  Dodd. 

Catherine  H.  Dodd. 

Benjamin  A.  Gould. 

Lucretia  Gould. 
Feb.  Sarah  Kent. 
April.  — 

Frances  Hunneman. 

Mary  Elizabeth  Dana. 
May.     Lucy  Rand. 
July.     Nehemiah  Davis  Williams. 

1845 

March.  — 

Geo.  B.  Hyde. 

Nathl.  Mayhew  1 ,  ,.  , 
-  -  T,  -^  ,  f  baptized. 
Nancy  Mayhew  J 

April.     Rebecca  Tucker. 

June.    Mary  H.  French. 

July.    Catherine    Downer,    w.     of 

W".  Hancock. 


1847 
May.  — 

Sarah  Jane,  w.  of  John  Hunt. 
Elizabeth  G.  Briggs. 
Aug.    Anne    H.,  w.    of    Supply 

Clap  Thwing. 
Oct. — 
Sarah  Bobbins. 
Mary  C.  Hunneman 

Catherine  Skilling        „,       , 

Nov.  — 

John  A.  Wiesse. 

Jane  L.  Wiesse. 

Samuel  Dexter")  from  Church 

Eliza  Dexter      J  in  Gloucester. 

1848 
Jan.  — 
David  C.  Perrin. 


COMMUNION    TABLE    MEMBERS 


267 


Jan.  — 

Nath'.  Francis  Jr. 
April.     Emeline  Perkins. 
May.     Eloisa  Kent. 
Sept.     Martha  S.  Harrington. 
Oct. 

Henry  Robinson  I 

Cecilia  Robinson  f 

Ann  D.  Cooper. 


coK. 


1849 
Feb.    Ellen  Derby  Rogers. 
Oct. — 

William  Bacon  Jr. 

Sophia  B.  Guild. 

1850 

June.  — 

PhiUp  Dumaresq. 

Margaretta  Dmnaresq. 

Elizabeth  H.  Weld. 
July.     David  Allen  Simmons. 
Oct.     Mary  Elizabeth  Blanchard. 

1851 
March.  — 

Nathaniel  Snow. 

Salome  H.  Snow. 
June.  Eve  Smith. 
Oct. — 

Miranda  Bacon. 

Ann  H.  Blaney. 

Catherine  P.  Townsend. 

1852 
May.  — 

Lydia  Champney. 

Susannah  R.  Spear. 

James  H.  Champney. 

Peter  G.  Robbins. 
June.  — 

Isabel  Kent. 


June.  — 

Mary  Lemist  Clarke. 

Harriet  Williams  Fearing. 

Charlotte  Augusta  Blanchard. 

Augusta  Woodbury  Blanchard. 

Ehzabeth   Wyman. 

Margaret  Curry  Wyman. 

Caroline  Putnam. 

Betsey  Seaver. 

AdeUne  Seaver. 

Elizabeth  Bacon. 

William  Bacon. 

Augustus  Bacon. 
Dec. — 

Mary  Prentiss. 

Mary  E.  Baker. 

Sarah  D.  Gore. 

Hannah  M.  Dudley. 

Mary  Helen  Bartlett. 

Ameha  T.  Sweet. 

1853 
Jan.  — 

Charlotte  P.  Reynolds. 

Edward  B.  Reynolds. 

Thomas  M.  Prentiss. 

Nancy  W.  Houghton. 
Feb. — 

Thomas  Wiley. 

Margaret  Wiley. 

Abby  Payson. 
May.  — 

Benjamin  WiUiams. 

Polly  R.  Eastman. 

Harriet  D.  Johnson. 

Abby  H.  Putnam. 

Sarah  P.  Blake. 

BeUnda  P.  Simmons. 

Louisa  Simmons. 
Nov.  — 

Charlotte  Fellowes. 

Susan  R.  Weld. 

Catharine  W.  Gore. 


268 


THE   FIFTH    MEETING   HOUSE 


1854 

May.  —  Augustus  D.  Berry. 

Mary  A.  Berry. 

Edward  Wyman. 
Sept.     Mary   W.    Hollingsworth. 
Oct. — 

Aaron  D.  Williams  Jr. 

Susan  F.  Williams. 

Emily  D.  Bacon. 

William  Ellery  Copeland. 
Nov.  — 

George  Foster  Williams. 

Susan  L.  Williams. 

Sarah  A.  W.  Merry. 

1855 
Jan.     Jeannette  P.  Watson. . 
March.    Mary  P.  Howe. 
May. — 

Emma  Rodman. 

Emily  I.  Brown. 
June.     Mary  Louisa  King. 
Nov.    Ann  Elizabeth  Smith. 

1856 
Feb.     Frances  Ann  Lemist. 
Mar.    Mary  Louisa  Huckins. 
May.  — 

John  Bumstead. 

John  B.  Fessenden. 

Elizabeth  F.  Minns. 
Oct. — 

Sarah  Cummins. 

Mary  Cummins. 

Abby  W.  Dudley. 

James  Cunningham. 

Elizabeth  H.  Cunningham. 

Catherine  H.  Cunningham. 

1857 
Jan.     Harriet  Briggs. 
April.    Agnes  L.  Greene. 


June.  — 

Jane  W.  T.  Spaulding. 

Jenny  Tileston  Spaulding. 
Oct. — 

Olive  E.  Hayden. 

Ehzabeth  B.  Fisher. 

Anna  E.  Putnam. 

1858 
Jan.  4.  — 

James  Guild. 

Martha  Simmons. 

Mary  Emma  Dillaway. 

Mary  V.  Buffinton. 

Mary  Anne  Jones. 

Emily  Greene. 

Rebecca  W.  Pickering. 
March.  — 

Cushing  Stetson. 

Sarah  M.  Simmons. 

Isabella  D.  Harrington. 

Ann  M.  HiU. 
April.  — 

Adehne  D.  Hooper. 

Sarah  Guild. 
June.  — 

Edward  C.  R.  Walker. 

Harriet  Walker. 
Sept.  — 

Mary  P.  Nichols. 

Sarah  E.  Nichols. 
Dec.     Catherine  W.  Fearing. 

1859 
Feb.— 

Sarah  B.  Lewis. 

Elizabeth  Lewis. 

EmeUne  B.  Fuller. 
April.     Ellen  P.  Perrin. 
May.  — 

Dependence  S.  Waterman. 

Georgiana  Waterman. 


COMMUNION   TABLE    MEMBERS 


269 


I860 
Jan.     James  H.  Barnes. 
Feb.     Judith  Eleanor  Motiey. 
May.  — 

Frances  G.  Fessenden. 

Mary  B.  Fessenden. 

1861 
July.     Sarah  Nichols  Messer. 
Sept.     Sybil  AUen. 
Oct.     Daniel  Simmons  Fisher. 
Nov.  — 

Caroline  May. 

Miriam  P.  Loring. 

1862 
Jan.  — 
Annie  W.  Davis. 
Sarah  E.  Stearns. 
Harriott  T.  Ward. 
Sarah  R.  Robinson. 

1863 
Jan.     Anna  Catherine  Hancock. 
April.     Mary  Beers. 
June.     Juha  Annie  Meston. 
Nov.     Thomas  Motley  Jr. 
Dec. — 

Mary  G.  Fuller. 

Prances  G.  Pickering. 


1864 


Feb. 


Bacon. 


Laura  Rogers. 

Annie  Williams. 
March.  — 

Susan  G.  Rogers. 

Susan  S.  Rogers. 

Mary  S.  Thomas. 
May.  — 

Eugene  L.  Buffinton. 

Sarah  Wells. 


May.    Julia  Messer. 
July. — 

Anna  G.  Gray. 

Margaret  C.  Welch. 

Minna  Motley. 
Nov.     CaroUne  K.  Wyman. 
Dec.     WiUiam  S.  Bond.  • 

1865 
Jan.  — 

Bessie  Bromfield  Rogers. 

Frances  Stetson  Rogers. 

Mary  Frances  Stetson. 
Feb. — 

Theoda  H.  Fearing. 

Marie  Louise  Mandell. 
March.  — 

Jane  E.  White. 

Sarah  D.  H.  White. 

Margaret  U.  White. 

Wm.  Phipps. 

Elizabeth  V.  Phipps. 

Lucy  Staniford. 

Geo.  B.  Palmer. 

Maria  D.  Pahner. 
April.     Emily  D.  Crafts. 
May.  — 

John  C.  Hmmeman. 

Charlotte  S.  RejTiolds. 

Ann  F.  RejTiolds. 

Florence  L.  Clarke. 
Dec. — 

Louise  A.  Crafts. 

Sarah  Wells. 

1866 
March.  — 

Elizabeth  F.  Homer. 

Augusta  P.  Homer. 
May.  — 

Josephine  M.  Hicks. 

Emma  E.  Hicks. 

Henrietta  G.  Puller. 


270 


THE   FIFTH    MEETING   HOUSE 


June.     Samuel  P.  Blake. 
Sept.     Harriet  L.  Otis. 
Oct.     Ellen  Maria  Barrett. 

1867 
March.  — 

Lucy  E.  Huckins. 

Edith  H.  Clarke. 

Harriet  W.  Ritchie. 

Clara  E.  Ritchie. 
Aug.    Fannie  L.  Stevens. 

1868 
Jan.     Grace  Bradford. 
July.    Eliza  Dorr  Williams. 

1869 
Nov.    Annie  M.  Hobbs. 
Dec.     Sarah  E.  Foster. 

1870 
Jan.  — 

Henry  G.  Pickering. 

Edward  H.  Bradford. 

Henry  W.  Putnam. 

Ehzabeth  W.  Bacon. 

Sue  WiUiams. 
March.  — 

Sarah  W.  D.  Lemist. 

Fanny  Gore  Bradford. 
May.  — 

Florence  H.  Thwing. 

Annie  H.  Thwing. 
June.  Maria  Davis. 
Dec.    Walter  Ehot  Thwing. 


Nov. 


1871 
Carohne  Weld  Fuller. 


1872 
B.  Louisa  Champney. 
Mary  Ann  Champney. 
Sarah  M.  Champney. 
Lydia  H.  Champney. 
Dec.     M.  Louisa  Reynolds. 


1874 

Jan.    Abby  S.  Erving. 

Oct. — 

Horace  G.  Hutchinsl  from 
Juha  H.  Hutchins     I  Church  in 
Harriet  Hutchins       |  Charles- 
Emma  Hutchins       j  town. 
Caroline  P.  Hutchins 
Bertha  F.  Williams 

1875 
June.    Mary  A.  Wales. 
Oct.     Jane  E.  Lovering. 

1877 
April.  — 

Hannah  Caroline  Leavitt. 
Ellen  Willusta  Leavitt. 

1878 
Jan.     Sarah  Parker. 
May.     Sarah  W.  Daggett. 
Nov.     Josephine  Wilson. 

1879 
March.  — 

]\Irs.  Mary  A.  Edson. 
Joseph  W.  Tucker. 

1880 
Jan.     Grace  Livermore. 
April.  — 

Katharine  Hamilton  Andrews. 

Agnes  Quincy  Andrews. 

Sarah  Dearborn. 
May.  — 

Mr.  and  Mrs.  Theodore  Plympton 

Rebecca  Clarke. 

Susan  H.  Pickering. 

1881 
Oct.    Dr.  E.  T.  Williams. 
Nov. — 

Wilham  S.  Boardman. 

Mary  M.  Boardman. 


69 


70 


71 


72 


73 


74 


75 


76 


77 


78 


79 


80 


8 


82 


68676665 


83 


84 


PULPIT 

sDEACONSSEATS^ 


85 


80 


108 


87 


86 


107106 105 


64 

PARSONAGE 
1 

32 

33 

63 

2 

31 

34 

62 

3 

30 

35 

6  1 

4 

29 

36 

60 

5 

28 

37 

59 

6 

27 

38 

58 

7 

26 

39 

57 

8 

25 

40 

56 

9 

24 

4  1 

55 

10 

23 

42 

54 

1  1 

22 

43 

53 

12 

21 

44 

52 

1  3 

20 

45 

5  1 

\A 

1  9 

46 

50 

1  5 

1  8 

47 

49 

f  6 

1   7 

48 

89 


104 


90 


103 


99 


98 


97 


96 


93 


92 


PLAN    OF    THE    FLOOR    OF    THE    PRESENT 
MEETING    HOUSE,    1804. 


PEW    OWNERS 


271 


1886 

1890 

Jan.  3.  — 
Ida  T.  Weeks. 
Frank  M.  Leavitt. 

AprU  6.     Virginia  Fisher. 

Oct.  5.    William  Safford  Jones. 

Carl  Edson. 

Matthew  Binney. 
Harry  Hinckley. 
Margery  Dodd. 
Robert  Williams. 
Greorge  Houston. 

1893 
Jan.  1.  — 

Mary  Sibyl  Collar, 
Mildred  Averill  CoUar. 

1888 

March  19.    Emily  Daggett  Crafts. 
Dec.  2.    Eleanor  Parker. 

1895 
Dec.  1 .    EUzabeth  Bates  Thacher 

Parsonage  Pew. 


PEW   OWNERS 

Pew  No.  1      Lower  Floor 
Pew  No.  2,  Lower  Floor 


May  10,  1804.     Cost  $348.00.    Hon  Nathaniel  Ruggles,  see  Fourth 

Meeting  House. 
Oct.  13,  1834.     Caroline  Porter,  niece  of  Rev.  Dr.  Eliphalet  Porter,  & 

dau.  of  Rev.  Huntington  Porter. 
Apr.  15,  1844.     Charles  Knapp  Dillawat,  see  Deacons. 


Pew  No.  3,  Lower  Floor 

May  10,  1804.     Cost  $385.00.    Mrs.  Sarah  Davis. 

Oct.  15,  1828.    Thomas  Brewer,  of  Roxbury,  b.  July  8,  1781 ;  d.  June  4, 

1859;  m.  Abigail  Stone.     Dry  goods  merchant.    Member  of   the  City 

Coimcil  of  Boston.     Member  of  the  Standing  Committee,  1836. 
Dec.  7,  1839.     Gardner  Brewer,  b.  May  1,  1806;  d.  Sept.  30,  1874;  m. 

Mary  Weld.     Wholesale  commission  merchant.    President  of  several 

manufacturing  companies  and  director  in  others. 
Feb.  14,  1848.     Jonathan  Chapman,  b.  Jan.  23,  1807;  d.  May  25,  1848; 

m.  Lucinda  Dwight.     H.  C.  1825.     Mayor  of  Boston,  1843. 
July  8,  1854.     Charles  Bunker,  b.  Aug.  8,  1802;  d.  Aug.  21,  1881;  m. 

Judith  Folger.   Lawyer.   U.  S.  Consul  at  Lahaina,  Sandwich  Islands. 

Member  of  Roxbury  Board  of  Aldermen. 


272  THE   FIFTH   MEETING   HOUSE 

Nov.  19,  1862.  John  Henry  Eastbtirn,  b.  April  1,  1805 ;  d.  July  1,  1873 ; 
m.  Susan  Fosdick  Simmons.  Learned  the  printer's  trade  of  Major 
Benjamin  Russell,  proprietor  of  "  Columbian  Centinel."  City  Printer, 
1827  to  1854;  proprietor  of  "The  Atlas,"  published  in  1840. 

Pew  No.  4,  Lower  Floor 

May  10,  1804.  Cost  $415.00.  John  Davis  Williams,  see  Fourth  Meet- 
ing House. 

March  18,  1856.  Aaron  Davis  Williams,  b.  July  3,  1787;  d.  Dec.  8, 
1863;  m.  Nancy  Bugbee.  Farmer,  first  one  to  introduce  French 
pears  and  first  to  graft  pears  on  to  quince  bushes.  Charter  member 
and  councillor  Mass.  Horticultural  Society.  Treas.  Roxbury  Charitable 
Society.  On  committee  applying  for  City  Charter  for  Roxbury  in  1845. 
Trustee  of  Institution  for  Savings  in  Roxbury,  etc. 

March  13,  1868.     Nancy  Williams,  w.  of  Aaron  Davis  Williams. 

Nov.  27,  1868.    Aaron  Davis  Williams,  see  Long  Pew  No.  45  in  Gallery. 

Pew  No.  5,  Lower  Floor 

May  10,  1804.     Cost  $380.00.     John  Shirley  Williams,  b.  May  3,  1772; 

d.  May,  1843;  m.  Nancy  Hunt  Fellowes.    H.  C,  1797.    Lawyer.   Clerk 

of  the  Courts,  also  County  Attorney. 
May  26,  1814.    Amos  Adams  Williams,  see  Square  Pew  No.  22,  in  Gallery. 
July  18,  1823.     John  Lowell,  see  Pew  No.  101,  Lower  Floor. . 
Aug.  11,  1823.     Aaron  Davis  Weld,  b.  Dec.  21,  1779;  d.  June  26,  1835; 

m.  (1)  Betsey  Williams,    (2)  Susannah  Morey,  (3)  Martha  Williams. 

Farmer. 
March  3,  1831.     David  Allen  Simmons,  see  Pew  No.  33,  Lower  Floor. 
Feb.  9,  1860.     Franklin  Greene,  b.  April  22,  1807;   d.  Nov.  15,  1893; 

m.  Agnes  Love  Bradlee.     President  of  the  Prescott  Insurance  Co. 
Jan.  4,  1889.    Mrs.  ^Iary  Ann  Morse. 

Pew  No.  6,  Lower  Floor 

May  10,  1804.  Cost  $380.00.  Henry  Howell  Williams,  b.  March  9, 
1767;  d.  in  1832;  m.  Sally  Williams.     A  man  of  property. 

April  6,  1821.     Samuel  Guild,  see  Pew  No.  79,  Lower  Floor. 

Jan.  18,  1844.  Samuel  Guild,  Jr.,  b.  July  16,  1809;  d.  Sept.  16,  1846; 
m.  Elizabeth  Baker  Da\'is  Thayer.  Leather  merchant.  Was  for  some 
years  a  member  of  the  choir  of  this  church. 

Dec.  17,  1849.     James  Guild,  see  Pew  No.  53,  Lower  Floor. 

Jan.  26,  1888.     Caroline  W.  Guild,  w.  of  James  Guild. 


PEW   OWNERS  273 


Pew  No.  7,  Lower  Floor 

May  10,   1804.     Cost  $410.00.     George  Ziegler,  see  Fourth  Meeting 

House. 
Jan.  1,  1820.    William  Bacon,  b.  June  27,  1790;  d.  March  8,  1868;  m. 

EHzabeth  WjTnan.     Merchant. 
March  26,  1846.    Augustus  Bacon,  b.  April  21,  1815;  d.  April  8,  1896; 

m.  Elizabeth  Moore  Lothrop.     Merchant. 

Pew  No.  8,  Lower  Floor 

May  10,  1804.  Cost  $370.00.  Isaac  Davis,  b.  July  31,  1769;  d.  March 
17,  1856;  m.  (1)  Elizabeth  White,  (2)  Salome  White.  Farmer. 
Member  of  Parish  Committee,  1812,  1814,  1815;  of  Standing  Commit- 
tee, 1825,  1826,  1827.  Selectman  and  Overseer  of  Roxbury,  1810, 
1811.  Treasurer  of  Roxbury,  1817  to  1845.  Member  of  Legislature, 
1819  to  1854.     Trustee  of  the  Roxbury  Latin  School. 

May  10,  1804.     Samuel  Weld,  see  Fourth  Meeting  House. 

Jan.  19,  1863.  Nancy  Weld,  w.  of  Samuel  Weld  and  dau.  of  Deacon 
Sumner. 

Pew  No.  9,  Lower  Floor 

May  10,  1804.     Cost  $355.00.     Sarah  Dudley,  w.  of  William  Dudley. 

Sept.  18,  1812.  Samuel  Dudley,  b.  Aug.  6,  1785;  m.  Susanna 
Davenport  Brewer.     Farmer. 

March  29,  1814.     Samuel  Guild,  see  Pew  No.  79,  Lower  Floor. 

March  21,  1864.     Sarah  Guild,  w.  of  Samuel  Guild. 

Nov.  30,  1870.  Henry  Guild,  b.  Jan.  13,  1824;  d.  July  27,  1886;  un- 
married.    Merchant.     President  of  People's  National  Bank. 

Nov.  10,  1890.     Charles  W.  Chamberlin,  living. 

Oct.  27,  1896.  William  Torrey  Barker,  b.  Feb.  14,  1851;  d.  Aug.  12, 
1903;  m.  Susan  Withers  Warden.  Paper  manufacturer.  President 
of  the  American  Paper  Trade  Association. 

Pew  No.  10,  Leaver  Floor 

May  10,  1804.     Cost  $330.00.     Elisha  Forbes,  one  half  pew,  see  Fourth 

Meeting  House. 
May  10,  1804.     Aaron  Pomeroy,  one  half  pew,  see  Fourth  Meeting  House. 
April  26,  1816.     Calvin  Warren,  b.  1785;  d.  May  3,  1819;  m.  Caroline 

May  19,  1825.     Caroline  Warren,  w.  of  Calvin  Warren. 
July  2,  1838.    Isaac  Parker  Townsend,  b.  July  2,  1784;    d.  Nov.  3, 
1846 ;  m.  Catherine  Parker.     Flour  merchant. 


274  THE   FIFTH    MEETING   HOUSE 

March  17,  1856.    Catherine  Parker  Townsend,  w.  of  Isaac  Parker 

Townsead. 
Oct.  9,  1868.    William  Amort,  see  Pew  No.  61,  ia  Gallery. 
March  1,  1880.    David  Miller  Hodgdon,   see  Long  Pew  No.  29,  in 

Gallery. 

Pew  No.  11,  Lower  Floor 

May  10,  1804.     Cost  $277.00.    John  Ward,  see  Fourth  Meeting  House. 

April  19,  1830.  Sarah  Thwing,  w.  of  Samuel  Thwing  and  mother  of 
Deacon  Thwing. 

Dec.  3,  1833.    Thomas  Simmons,  see  Pew  No.  17,  Lower  Floor. 

Jan.  29,  1836.  Nathaniel  Phillips  Lovering,  b.  Jan.  18,  1808;  d. 
Oct.  4,  1887;  m.  (1)  Mary  Lane  Clap,  (2)  Jane  Ehzabeth  Hatch. 
Held  a  position  in  the  Boston  Custom  House.  Partner  of  Benj.  F. 
Copeland.  Treas.  of  the  Conn,  and  Passumpsic  River  R.  R.  Co. 
Treas.  of  the  Concord  R.  R. 

May  17,  1837.  Joseph  Lovering,  b.  Sept.  19,  1758;  d.  June  13,  1848; 
m.  (1)  Esther  Martin,  (2)  Anne  Phillips,  (3)  Mary  Langdon  (Bor- 
land) Wales.  Originally  soap  boiling  and  tallow  chandlering,  later 
a  careful  and  shrewd  investor.  Selectman.  Member  of  first  Board 
of  Aldermen,  Boston.  Representative.  Treasurer  Mass.  Charitable 
Mechanic  Association.     A.  &  H.  Artillery  Co.,  1830. 

Dec.  31,  1842.    Nathaniel  Phillips  Lovering,  same  as  above. 

April  2,  1844.     James  Vila,  see  Pew  No.  12,  Lower  Floor. 

Aug.  6,  1874.     Elizabeth  R.  Taylor,  w.  of  Newton  Taylor. 

March  20,  1883.  Robert  Bruce  Fajrbairn,  b.  in  Scotland,  Nov.  —  1847; 
d.  March  22,  1907;  m.  (1)  Harriet  Lavmia  Sears,  (2)  Edith  Alex- 
ander. Cashier,  President  and  a  Director  of  the  National  Rockland 
Bank.  Director  of  the  Forest  Hills  Cemetery  Corporation.  Director 
of  the  Chadwick-Boston  Lead  Co. 


Pew  No.  12,  Lower  Floor 

May  10, 1804.     Cost  $260.00.    Ebenezer  Fox,  see  Fourth  Meetmg  House. 
March  31,  1840.     James  Vila,  b.  Feb.  7,  1789;   d.  May  23,  1871;    m. 

Ehzabeth  D.  Dexter.     Wool  merchant. 
Jan.  2,  1843.     Charles  Stearns,  Jr.,  b.  Dec.  6,  1794;  d.  Oct.  24,  1879; 

m.  Hannah  Clap  Pierce.     Farmer  in  Brookline.    Selectman.    Assessor. 

Member  of  School  Committee. 
Sept.  9,  1844.     Joseph  Vila,  b.  1791;  d.  July  20,  1870;  m.  Lydia  Shepard 

Stamford.     Banker  and  commission  merchant. 
Dec.  6,  1847.    William  Phipps,  see  Pew  No.  25,  Lower  Floor. 


PEW   OWNERS  275 


July  7,  1860.  Joseph  Vila,  Jr.,  b.  May  29,  1834;  d.  Feb.  23,  1885;  m. 
Anna  Fields  McLellan.     Banker. 

May  25,  1870.  Aakon  Warner  Spencer,  b.  Jan.  17,  1823;  d.  July  29, 
1895;  m.  Josephine  Vila.  Banker.  President  Boston  Stock  Ex- 
change. 

Pew  No.  13,  Lower  Floor 

May  10,  1804.     Cost  $260.00.    Bartholomew  White,  b.  Jan.  4,  1773; 

d.  April,  1857;  m.  Hannah — .     Victualler. 

May  10,  1804.     Thomas  Mayo,  see  Foiu-th  Meeting  House. 

April  23,  1823.     John  H.  Hawes,  see  Pew  No.  83,  Lower  Floor. 

Nov.  15,  1832.    Benjamin  Hawes,  b.  April—,  1771;  d    Oct.  16,  1857; 

m.  Mary  Pilsbury  Shannon.     Farmer. 
March  11,  1850.     Joseph  Nickerson,  b.  March  3,  1804;  d.  Feb.  28,  1880; 

m.  Louisa  Winslow.     Merchant. 


Pew  No.  14,  Lower  Floor 

May  10,  1804.     Cost  $240.00.    Dudley  Willlvms,  see  Fourth  Meeting 

House. 
June  1,  1808.     Jacob  Allen.     One  half  pew,  see  Fourth  Meeting  House. 
April  19,  1810.     Chenery  Clark.     One  half  pew.    b.  March  24,  1779;  d. 

April  27,  1848;  m.  Lucy  Davis. 
April  30,  1824.     Jacob  Allen  bought  this  pew  of  assignees  of  Chenery 

Clark  and  sold  it  to  Samuel  Payson  who  sold  it  to  Calvin  Allen  and 

he  sold  it  to 
Feb.  20,  1860.    Willlui  Henry  Slocum,  b.  Jan.  1,  1818;  d.  Aug.   19, 

1901 ;  m.  Sarah  Elizabeth  Williams.     Importer  and  dealer  in  furs. 


Pew  No.  15,  Lower  Floor 

May    10,     1804.     Cost     $190.00.     George     Howe,     of     Roxbury,     m. 

Mary . 

Jan.  31,  1820.     Oliver   Shed,  b.   March    14,  1794;  m.  Nabby . 

Merchant. 
Dec.  11,  1823.     Jonathan  Dorr,  see  Pew  No.  84,  Lower  Floor. 
Dec.  29,  1832.    Nathaniel  Dorr,  see  Pew  No.  97,  Lower  Floor. 
Dec.  11, 1834.     Willlvm  Joseph  Loring,  b.  1795;  buried  March  2,  1841 ; 

m.  Anna  Thorndike.     H.  C,  1813.     Merchant. 
May  20,  1841.     Anna  Loring,  w.  of  WiUiam  Joseph  Loring. 
Feb.  10, 1880.     Charles  Milton  Seaver,  b.  March  18, 1829;  d.  April  26, 

1902;  m.  Helen  Sophia  (Rogers)  Ball.     A  capitahst. 


276  THE   FIFTH    MEETING   HOUSE 

Pew  No.  16,  Lower  Floor 

May  10,  1804.     Cost  $171.00.     Stephen  Childs,  b.  July  17,  1771;  d. 

June  16,  1863 ;  m.  Rebecca  Williams.     Kept  a  boot  and  shoe  store  in 

Roxbury. 
May  10,  1804.     Jonathan  Williams,  b.  Sept.  3,  1775;  d.  Feb.  11,  1825; 

m.  Anne  Tileston.     Leather  dresser,  a  founder  of  the  Universalist 

Chm-ch,  Member  of  Roxbury  City  Guard. 
June  16,  1812.     John  Houghton,  b.  May  31,  1772;  d.  Sept.  27,  1828; 

m.  Nancy  Williams.     Tanner. 
March  7,  1817.     Jesse  Jordan,  b.  Nov.  17,  1795;  d.  Aug.  25,  1870;  m. 

Ann  Bond  Mirick.     At  first  a  tanner  then  a  Japan  leather  finisher,  a 

founder  of  the  Universalist  Church. 
Aug.  18,  1823.    William  Heath  Spooner,  b.  Aug.  5,  1798;  d.  Feb.  9, 

1872;  m.  (1)  CaroUne  Hartshorn,  (2)  Harriet  Curtis,  (3)  Mrs.  Rebecca 

Moses.     Hotel  proprietor  and  manager. 
June  19,  1834.     Charles  Mat  Windship,  b.  April  16,  1809;  d.  July  19, 

1865;  m.  Susan  Barker.     Harvard  Medical  School,  1829.     Consulting 

Physician  of  the  City  of  Roxbury. 
Oct.  22,  1869.     Susan  Windship,  w.  of  Dr.  Charles  May  Windship. 
Oct.  24,  1870.    William  Frank  Stetson,  Uving. 
Oct.  26,  1874.    William  Coe  Collar,  living. 


Pew  No.  17,  Lower  Floor 

May  10,  1804.  Cost  $201.00.  Samuel  Langley,  b.  June  3,  1778;  d. 
Feb.  6,  1861 ;  m.  Emily  Pierpont.  Carpenter,  housewright  and  archi- 
tect of  Roxbiu"y.     A  founder  of  the  Universalist  Church. 

April  16,  1823.    David  Allen  Simmons,  see  Pew  No.  33,  Lower  Floor. 
Jan.  1,  1830.    Thomas  Simmons,  b.  Oct.  8,  1791;  d.  March  16,  1866; 
m.  Sarah  Homans  Thwing.     For  40  years  a  merchant  on  India  Wharf, 
Boston.     Parish    Treasurer,     1830-1832.     Member    Standing    Com- 
mittee in  1856. 

May  10,  1845.  '  John  Joseph  May,  see  Deacons. 

Sept.  4,  1848.    LucxA.  Marston  Watson,  dau.  of  George  Watson. 


Pew  No.  18,  Lower  Floor 

May  10,  1804.     Cost    $215.00.    Mrs.  Martha    Ruggles,    see    Fourth 

Meeting  House. 
Nov.  10,  1835.     Charles  Knapp  Dillaway,  see  Deacons. 
Dec.  21,  1843.    Luke  Baldwin,  see  Pew  No.  21,  Lower  Floor. 


PEW   OWNERS  277 


Dec.  2,  1847.  Charles  Mayo  Ellis,  b.  Dec.  23,  1818;  d.  Jan.  23,  1878; 
m.  (1)  Harriet  Lucretia  Lewis,  (2)  Helen  Thomas.  H.  C,  1839. 
Lawyer.     Author  of  "The  History  of  Roxbury  Town,"  1847. 

April  8,  1848.     Charles  Copeland,  see  Pew  No.  33,  Lower  Floor. 

April  15,  1857.  Shubael  Gorham  Rogers,  b.  April  23,  1806;  d.  Nov.  13, 
1876;  m.  Susan  Gross  Snow.  Secretary  of  the  Fireman's  Ins.  Co.,  1831 
to  1865,  then  President.  Director  of  the  Boston  and  Sandwich  Glass 
Co,  Elected  member  Standing  Committee  in  1866  but  declined  the 
office. 

Jan.  22,  1877.    Susan  Gross  Rogers,  w.  of  Shubael  Gorham  Rogers. 

Dec.  15, 1877.    Susan  Snow  Rogers,  dau.  of  Shubael  Gorham  Rogers. 


Pew  No.  19,  Lower  Floor 

May  10,  1804.     Cost  $240.00.    David  Baker,  see  Fourth  Meeting  House. 

Feb.  4,  1805.     Susanna  Smith,  w.  of  Ralph  Smith. 

Dec.  17,  1827.    Miss  Sarah  Tappan. 

Aug.  17,  1830.    Edward  W.  Bradley,  b.  1799;  d.  Feb.  1876;  m.    (1) 

EUzabeth  Weld  Williams,  (2)  Sarah  Da\'is. 
Sept.  2,  1837.    William  Bacon,  see  Pew  No.  7,  Lower  Floor. 
May  24,  1842.    Francis   Caleb  Loring,  of  Boston,  b.  Sept.  1809;   d. 

Aug.  19,  1874;  m.  Miriam  Mason  Perkins.     H.  C,  1828.     Lawyer. 
Nov.  16,  1857.    Francis  William  Welch,  b.  Nov.  5,  1808;  d.  Nov.  28, 

1899;  m.  Mary  Anne  Humphrey.     Master  mariner. 
Nov.  8,  1878.     Jane  Merrill  Hollingsworth,  w.  of  Amor  Hollings- 

worth. 
Oct.  29,  1885.    Mark  Hollingsworth,  b.  Feb.  9,  1854;  d.  March  16. 

1905;  m.  Amelia  Grigg  Merrill.     Member  of  the  music  committee, 

1889  to  1896. 

Pew  No.  20,  Lower  Floor 

May  10, 1804.     Cost  $240.00.     Joel  Whiting,  see  Fourth  Meeting  House. 
Dec.  13,  1849.    William  Whiting,  see  Pew  No.  84,  Lower  Floor. 
Jan.  15,  1861.    William  Gray  Jr.,  see  Pew  No.  40,  Lower  Floor. 
Dec.  1,  1887.    Hiram  Whittington,  see  Long  Pew  No.  19  in  Gallery. 


Pew  No.  21,  Lower  Floor 

May  10,  1804.  Cost  $266.00.  Joseph  Curtis,  b.  Sept.  23,  1772;  d. 
Feb.  13,  1858;  m.  Bethia  Parker.  Farmer,  and  the  first  man  to  carry 
vegetables  to  market  in  a  team  instead  of  in  paniers  on  horseback. 


278  THE   FIFTH   MEETING  HOUSE 

May  10,  1804.     Samuel  Ward,  b.  Sept.   13,  1772;  d.  Jan.  5,  1830;  m. 

Joanna  — ' .     Farmer. 

May  8,  1806.    William  Langley,  see  Square  Pew  No.  28  in  Gallery. 

Apr.  22,  1818.     Samuel  Langley,  see  Pew  No.  17,  Lower  Floor. 

Apr.  16,  1823.     William  Cummens,  see  Fourth  Meeting  House. 

June  13,  1834.     Luke  Baldwin,  b.  June  5,  1797;  d.  Oct.  27,  1887;  m.  (1) 

Elizabeth  Anne  Gushing,  (2)  Helen  Sophia  Hill.     Merchant. 
Apr.  19, 1837.    William  Mack. 
Jan.  2,  1841.    Nelson  Curtis,  b.  Dec,  1809;  d.  Sept.  16,  1882;  m.  Mary 

S.  Hyde.     One  of   the  largest  contractors  in  Boston.     He  built  the 

Boston  Museum,  Fitchburg  R.R.  Depot,  &c.     Alderman.     Director  of 

the  People's  National  Bank. 
Oct.  3,  1842.     Samuel  Phipps,  of  Dorchester,  b.  June,  1800;  d.  July  27, 

1880;  m.  Maria  Dennis  Staniford.     Dry  goods  importer. 
Apr.  7,  1860.     James  Henry  Barnes,  b.  in  1837;  d.  Nov.  30,  1861;  m. 

Mary   Virginia   BufSnton.     Salesman   with   Tuttle    GafEeld    &    Co. 

Glassware. 
Sept.  23,  1863.    Mary  Virginla.  Barnes,  w.  of  James  Henry  Barnes. 
March  1,  1886.     John  Hurd  Hutchins,  living. 


Pew  No.  22,  Lower  Floor 

May  10,  1804.     Cost  $295.00.     Elisha  Whitney,  Jr.,  b.  Feb.  4,  1780;  d. 

Feb.  12,  1823;  m.  Sally  Heath.     Merchant.     A  founder  of  the  Uni- 

versaUst  Church. 
July  1,  1813.     Samuel  Langley,  see  Pew  No.  17,  Lower  Floor. 
Apr.  16,  1823.     Charles  Dubant,  see  Square  Pew  No.  8  in  Gallery. 
June  13,  1834.     Charles  Pierpont  Blaney,  b.  Jan.  2,  1797;  d.  May  9, 

1860.     Unmarried.     Bookkeeper. 
June  26,  1860.    Nelson  Curtis,  see  Pew  No.  21,  Lower  Floor. 
Jan.  23,  1885.    Mary  S.  Curtis,  w.  of  Nelson  Curtis. 


Pew  No.   23,   Lower  Floor 

May  10,  1804.  Cost  $310.00.  Aaron  Davis,  b.  April  13,  1763;  d.  April, 
1817;  m.  Theoda  Williams.  Partner  of  his  uncle  Moses  Davis,  after- 
wards with  his  brother  Charles.  Manufacturers  and  Exporters. 
Helped  to  build  the  Roxbury  Canal. 

Jan.  8,  1863.    Harriet  Sigourney,  w.  of  D.  A.  Sigourney. 

Oct.  17,  1863.     Caroline  B.  Thacher,  w.  of  Thomas  Thacher. 

Jan.  1,  1881.  William  Gill  Thacher,  b.  July  28,  1846;  d.  Sept.  23, 
1883;  m.  Elizabeth  Ames  Bates.     Grad.  Chauncey  Hall  School.    First 


PEW   OWNERS  279 


a  grocer,  then  had  charge  of  a  large  property.  Member  of  the  Com- 
mon Council.  Director  of  the  Howard  Clock  Co.  and  of  the  Rock- 
land National  Bank. 


Pew  No.  24,  Lower  Floor. 

May  10,  1804.  Cost  $330.00.  Ralph  Smith,  b.  Oct.  25,  1770;  d.  Aug. 
12,  1812;  m.  (1)  Mary  Whittemore,  (2)  Sarah  Ruggles,  (3)  Mrs.  Susan- 
nah Howe.  Manufacturer  of  soap  and  candles.  Member  of  a  com- 
pany commanded  by  Watson  Gore  at  Nantasket  in  the  War  of  1812, 
and  attached  to  the  commissary  department  until  his  death. 

May  24,  1825.  Joseph  Harrington,  b.  June  27,  1781;  d.  Dec.  8,  1852; 
m.  Rebecca  Smith.  Yale  College,  1803.  Studied  law  with  Fisher  Ames. 
He  suggested  the  planting  of  trees  around  the  church  green.  He  held 
Justice  Courts  every  Saturday.  After  retiring  from  the  bench  he 
received  a  position  in  the  Boston  Custom  House  and  held  it  imtil  his 
death. 

March  31,  1837.  Samuel  Shaw  Lewis,  b.  June  19,  1799;  d.  June,  1869; 
m.  Hannah  Brackett  Lewis.  Commission  Merchant,  afterward  Agent 
of  the  Cunard  Steamship  Co.,  in  Boston. 

March  17,  1842.    Sarah  Lewis,  daughter  of  Thomas  Levds. 

Jan.  5,  1843.  Robert  Gould  Shaw,  b.  June  4,  1776;  d.  May  3,  1853; 
m.  Elizabeth  Willard  Parkman.     Merchant. 

Oct.  31,  1856.     Samuel  Allds  Way,  see  Pew  No.  65,  Lower  Floor. 

March  23,  1883.  Samuel  Little,  b.  Aug.  15,  1827;  d.  Dec.  21,  1906;  m. 
Elizabeth  Malbon.  President  of  Rockland  National  Bank.  Alder- 
man. Member  Common  Council.  Treas.  of  Highland  St.  R'way  Co. 
Member  of  Legislature. 


Peio  No.  25,  Lower  Floor. 

May  10,  1804.     Cost   $370.00.    Reuben   Stoddard,    d.    Oct.    1807;  m. 

Huldah  .     Mariner. 

May  10,  1804.    Stephen  Mansfield,  see  Fourth  Meeting  House. 

Jan.  29,  1810,    Daniel  Hammond,  b.  Dec.  13,  1785;  d.  Aug.  23,  1872;  m. 

Sally  Stoddard.     Merchant  of  the  firm  of  Cutler  &  Hammond. 
June  12,  1826.    Huldah  Stoddard,  w.  of  Reuben  Stoddard. 
Sept.  7,  1826.    Sally  Hammond,  w.  of  Daniel  Hammond. 
June  27,  1844.    Willlum  Phipps,  b.  Aug.  6,  1799;  d.  Feb.  16,  1873;  m. 

Elizabeth  Vinton  Stamford.     Dry  goods  merchant. 
Feb.  9,  1860.    Henry  Newton  Farwell,  b.  Jan.  12,  1822;  d.  June  14, 

1896 ;  m.  Clara  Richardson.     Commission  merchant. 


280  THE   FIFTH   MEETING   HOUSE 

March  27,  1865.  Horatio  Harris,  b.  Feb.  12,  1821;  d.  Feb.  29,  1876;  m. 
Eunice  Elizabeth  Crehore.  Commission  merchant.  Trustee  of  Joshua 
Sears  Estate.  Director  of  Atlas  Bank.  One  of  the  originators  and  a 
director  of  the  Metropolitan  Railroad.  One  of  the  proprietors  of  the 
Adams,  Oxnard  and  Continental  Sugar  Refineries.  One  of  the 
leading  promoters  of  the  "World's  Peace  Jubilee." 

Nov.  3,  1876.     Minnie  Harris,  daughter  of  Horatio  Harris. 

Oct.  25,  1880.    William  Goodwin  Russell,  see  Pew  No.  51  in  Gallery. 

Oct.  1884.    John  Felt  Osgood,  see  Pew  No.  96,  Lower  Floor. 

Pew  No.  26,  Lower  Floor. 

May  10,  1804.     Cost  $380.00.     Joseph   Williams,   see  Fourth  Meeting 

House. 
May  19,  1825.    Nehemlah  Davis  Williams,  b.  July  25,  1786;  d.  May  13, 

1852;  m.  Sarah  Heath.     Tanner  and  farmer. 
Dec.  18,  1852.     Joseph  Williams.    Provision  dealer. 
Feb.  9,  1856.    Anna  R.  Dwight,  of  Brookline. 
Jan.  1,  1858.    David  Nevins,  of  Brighton,  b.  Dec.  12,  1809;  d.  March  19, 

1881;  m.    Eliza    S.   Cofiin.     Dry  goods    commission    merchant   and 

manufacturer. 
Dec.  21,  1882.    Eliza  S.  Nevins,  w.  of  David  Nevins. 

Pew  No.  27,  Lower  Floor. 

May  10,  1804.     Cost  $390.00.    Rebecca  Wait,  w.  of  Jacob  Wait. 

May  22,  1806.     Samuel  Watt,  see  Pew  No.  38,  Lower  Floor. 

Aug.  10,  1826.    Lydia  Wait. 

Dec.  10,  1827.  Benjamin  Franklin  Copeland,  b.  Nov.  25,  1798;  d.  Dec. 
22,  1863;  m.  Julia  Fellowes  Ruggles.  Commission  merchant.  Repre- 
sentative.    Deputy  Collector  of  the  Port  of  Boston. 

March  26,  1830.    Ebenezer  Francis,  see  Pew  No.  36,  Lower  Floor. 

Jan.  30,  1862.    Elizabeth  Brown  Bowditch,  w.  of  Nath'  I.  Bowditch. 

Jan.  12,  1880.    Henry  Ware  Putnam,  living. 

Pew  No.  28,  Loioer  Floor. 

May  10,  1804.     Cost  $390.00.     John  Parker  of  Boston,  b.  Feb.  3,  1759; 

d.  April  21,  1828 ;  m.  Elizabeth  Phillips.     Merchant. 
Sept.  7,  1840.     John  Parker,  b.  June  4,  1783;  d.  Dec.  29,  1844;  m.  Anna 

Sargent.     Merchant.     Owner  of  Parker  Hill. 
Oct.  26,  1874.     Samuel  Crocker  Cobb,  see  Pew  No.  67,  Lower  Floor. 


PEW   OWNERS  281 


May  8,  1888.  Stephen  Henry  Williams,  b.  Nov.  3,  1807;  d.  July  15, 
1894;  m.  Katharine  Morrill.  Graduate  of  Roxbury  Latin  School. 
Clerk  of  Boardman  and  Pope  on  India  Wharf  in  the  East  India  Trade. 
Sailed  for  them  as  Captain.  Established  at  San  Francisco  and  Hono- 
lulu, the  Commission  House  of  S.  H.  Williams  &  Co.  Representative 
Member  of  Roxbury  City  Council. 

Pew  No.  29,  Lower  Floor. 

May  10, 1804.  Cost  $410.00.  IVIadam  Elizabeth  Sumner,  w.  of  Governor 
Increase  Sumner. 

Sept.  15,  1814.  John  Lemist,  b.  Aug.  25,  1785;  d.  Jan.  13,  1840;  m.  Mary 
(Cordis)  Haswell.  Merchant.  Owner  of  Auchmuty  House.  Parish 
Treasurer,  1825.  Treasurer  of  the  Society,  1826  to  1829.  Member 
of  Standing  Committee,  1822  and  1830  to  1833.  Trustee  of  the  Rox- 
bury Latin  School. 

March  12,  1840.    Edward  Brinley,  see  Pew  No.  70,  Lower  Floor. 

June  20,  1851.    Thomas  Howe,  of  Dorchester.    Vinegar  maker. 

Oct,  19,  1860.  Elijah  Williams,  of  Boston,  b.  Aug.  1805;  d.  June  19, 
1879;  m.  Mary  Nye  Bangs.  Flour  commission  merchant.  Trustee 
of  several  estates.     Owned  numerous  ships. 

Pew  No.  30,  Lower  Floor. 

May  10,  1804.     Cost  $391.00.    Margaret  Magee,  w.  of  James  Magee. 

Jan.  29,  1810.     Jonathan  Dorr,  see  Pew  No.  84,  Lower  Floor. 

May  10,  1830.    Benjamin  Franklin  Copeland,  see  Pew  No.  27,  Lower 

Floor. 
June  10,  1837.    Rev.  George  Pxttnam,  Pastor  of  this  Church. 
Nov.  29,  1839.    Isaac  Parker  Townsend,  see  Pew  No.  10,  Lower  Floor. 
March  4,  1843.     Willlvm  Gray,  of  Boston,  b.  Dec.  20,  1810;  d.  Feb.  12, 

1892;  m.  Sarah  Frances  Loring.    H.  C.  1829.     Lawyer.     Overseer  of 

Harvard    College.     President     Alumni    Assn.     Fellow    Am.     Acad. 

Member  of  Mass.  Hist.  Society. 

Pew  No.  31,  Lower  Floor. 

May  10, 1804.  Cost  $355.00.   Doctor  John  Bartlett,  see  Fourth  Meeting 

House. 
Nov.  22,  1854.     Julu.  Hill,  w.  of  Thomas  Hill  of  Roxbury. 

Jan.  31,  1870.  Adams  Ayer,  see  Deacons. 


282  THE    FIFTH    MEETING   HOUSE 

Pew  No.  32,  Lmoer  Floor. 

May  10,  1804.  Cost  $350.00.  Thomas  Williams,  Jr.,  bap.  June  3,  1764; 
d.  Sept.  20,  1823;  m.  (1)  Elizabeth  McCarthy,  (2)  Frances  Jones. 
Lawj'er. 

March  24,  1825.  Samuel  Jackson  Gardner,  b.  July  9,  1788;  d.  July  14, 
1864;  m.  Mary  Bellowes  Kmgsley.  H.  C.  1807.  Lawyer.  Secretary 
and  Treasurer  of  the  Roxbury  Latin  School.  In  1820  he  presented 
a  Holy  Bible  to  the  Parish  wliich  is  still  in  the  pulpit.  Member  of  the 
Standing  Committee  in  1827,  1828,  1829.  In  1838  moved  to  Newark, 
New  Jersey.     Editor  of  the  Newark  Daily  Advertiser. 

Aug.  26,  1837.    Mary  Bellows  Gardner,  w.  of  Samuel  Jackson  Gardner. 

June  13, 1839.  Lydia  Williams,  of  East  Bridgewater,  dau.  of  Dr.  Thomas 
Williams,  of  Roxbury. 

July  9,  1844.    Daniel  Andrew  Sigourney,  see  Pew  No.  38,  Low^er  Floor. 

Feb.  15,  1859.  Jeremlvh  Williams,  b.  April  9,  1805;  d.  Feb.  3,  1877;  m. 
Emmeline  Fames  Childs.     Farmer.     Selectman  of  West  Roxbury. 

March  1,  1878.     Henry  Ware  Putnam,  living. 

April  30,  1883.    Anna  Cabot  Lowell,  see  Pew  No.  35,  Lower  Floor. 

Pew  No.  33,  Lower  Floor. 

May  10,  1804.     Cost  $300.00.    Hon.  Nathaniel  Ruggles,  see  Pew  No.  2, 

Lower  Floor. 
Oct.  24,  1822.    David  Allen  Simmons,  b.  Nov.  7,  1787;  d.  Nov.  20,  1859; 

m.    Martha   Fairfield    Ruggles.     Lawyer.     Parish    Clerk    1822-1825. 

Member  Parish  Committee   1823-1824.     Clerk  of    the  Society  1825- 

1829.     State  Senator  from  Roxbury  1848-1849. 
Oct.  13,  1834.     Charles  Copeland,  b.  Aug.  27,  1803;  d.  March  9,  1853; 

m.  Susan  Rogers  Sprague.     Merchant. 
May  18,  1837.     Charles  Nichols,  b.  Jan.  26,  1794;  d.  Aug.  22,  1873;  m. 

Harriet  Powers.     Paying  teller  in  the  New  England  Bank. 
June  16,  1845.    Benjamin  Franklin  Copeland,  see  Pew  No.  27,  Lower 

Floor. 
May  24,  1860.     Robert  Chamblet  Hooper,  see  Pew  No.  92,  Lower  Floor. 
Oct.  25,  1880.    Mrs.  Samuel  D.  Bradford. 

Pew  No.  34,  Lower  Floor. 

May  10,  1804.  Cost  $312.00.  Joseph  Seaver,  see  Fourth  Meeting 
House. 

Dec.  29,  1832.  Watson  Gore,  b.  March  18,  1793;  d.  June  13,  1872;  m. 
Catherine  Gates  Willard.  Importer  of  linens.  Member  of  Standing 
Committee  1833-1834.     Member  of  the  New  England  Guards. 


PEW    OWNERS  283 


Oct.  11,  1844.     Catherine  Gates  Gore,  w.  of  Watson  Gore 

Aug.  20,  1847.    Enoch  Train,  see  Pew  No.  51  in  Gallery. 

May  20,  1859.    Aupred  Augustus  Reed,  b.  Sept.  7,  1817;    d.  Oct.  1, 

1878;  m.  Caroline  Van  Son.     Lived  in  Java  many  years;   afterwards 

engaged  in  cotton  manufacturing  in  this  country. 
April  2,  1866.    Ebenezer  Francis  Parker,  b.  Dec.  13,  1823;  d.  Aug.  15, 

1896;  m.  Elizabeth  Clap  Stone.     Partner  of  Augustine  Heard  &  Co., 

Merchants  of  Hong  Kong,  China. 


Pew  No.  35,  Lower  Floor. 

May  10,  1804.     Cost  $340.00.    Aaron  White,  b.  April  8,  1741 ;  d.  Dec. 

18,  1809;  m.  EHzabeth  Cheney.     Farmer. 
May  19,  1825.    William  White,  b.  Oct.  9,  1779;  d.  Aug.  25,  1833;  m. 

Nancy  Avery.     Mason. 
Dec.  20,  1833.    David  Dudley,  see  Pew  No.  45,  Lower  Floor. 
March  27,  1834.    Daniel  Andrew  Sigournet,  see  Pew  No.  38,  Lower 

Floor. 
July  1,  1837.     Edwin  Lemist,  b.  Oct.  14,  1806;    d.  Jan.  28,  1888;   m. 

Sarah  Wliitney  Da\ds  Dorr.     Dry  goods  merchant. 
May  15,  1838.     Jajvies  Russell.     Bookkeeper  in  the  Atlas  Bank. 
June  27,  1842.    Rebecca  Aaiort  Lowell,  dau.  of  John  Lowell,  taught  in 

the  Sunday  school  about  40  years. 
Jan.  21,  1874.    Anna  Cabot  Lowell,  dau.  of  John  Lowell,  taught  in  the 

Sunday  school  about  50  years.     Secretary  of   the  Lincoln  Freedman's 

Aid  Society. 

Pew  No.  36,  Lower  Fluffr. 

May  10,  1804.  Cost  $320.00.  William  Htslop  Sumner,  b.  July  4,  1780 ; 
d.  Oct.  24,  1861;  m.  Mary  Ann  (DeWolf)  Perry.  H.  C.  1799.  Law- 
yer. Representative,  1808  to  1819.  Organized  in  1833  the  East 
Boston  Co.  One  of  the  original  members  of  the  Massachusetts  Horti- 
cultural Society. 

April  2,  1816.     George  Ziegler,  see  Pew  No.  7.     Lower  Floor. 

June  11,  1819.  Ebenezer  Francis,  b.  Oct.  15,  1775;  d.  Sept.  21,  1858; 
m.  Elizabeth  Thorndike.  Merchant  and  a  large  ship  owner.  Chair- 
man of  the  Trustees  and  President  of  the  Massachusetts  General 
Hospital.  President  of  tlie  Suffolk  Bank.  President  of  the  Cocheco 
Mfg.  Co.     Treasiu-er  of  Harvard  College. 

April  20,  1830.     David  Dudley,  see  Pew  No.  45,  Lower  Floor. 

Dec.  21,  1833.   John  Jones  Clarke,  see  Square  Pew  No.  31  in  Gallery. 


284  THE   FIFTH   MEETING   HOUSE 

June  30,  1845.  Nathaniel  Ingersoll,  Bowditch,  of  Boston,  b.  Jan.  17, 
1805;  d.  April  16,  1861;  m.  Elizabeth  Brown  Francis.  H.  C.  1822. 
Admitted  to  the  Bar,  1825.  Became  a  conveyancer  and  examiner  of 
titles  to  real  estate.  In  1855  wrote  the  "Gleaner"  articles  in  the 
Boston  Transcript.  Published  a  "History  of  the  Massachusetts  Gen- 
eral Hospital"  and  "Suffolk  Surnames." 

March  4,  1862.  Elizabeth  Brown  Bowditch,  w.  of  Nathaniel  I.  Bow- 
ditch. 

Jan.  2,  1888.    Mrs.  Mary  Lemist  Clarke,  dau.  of  John  Jones  Clarke. 

Pew  No.  37,  Lower  Floor. 

May  10,  1804.     Cost  $350.00.     Stephen  Williams,  see  Fourth  Meeting 

House. 

,  1807.    Mary  Williams,  dau.  of  Stephen  Williams. 

April  8,  1822.     Theoda  Hunnewell,  w.  of  Jonathan  Hunnewell. 

Oct.  20,  1835.    Ralph  Smith  Dorr,  b.  Feb.  1,  1807;  d.  Jan.  30,  1869;  m. 

Nancy  Da^Ts.     Lived  in  San  Francisco  where  he  built  large  warehouses. 
Aug.  17,  1836.     Jonathan  Dorr,  see  Pew  No.  84,  Lower  Floor. 
Oct.  18,  1837.     J.  D.  Adams. 

Aug.  2,  1838.     Jonathan  Butfington,  see  Pew  No.  93,  Lower  Floor. 
March  5,  1839.     Baman  Stone,  b.  Dec,  1804;    d.  March  4,    1877;    m. 

Mary  Walker.     Cashier  People's   Bank.     Treasurer   of    the  Society, 

1856  to  1862. 
Nov.  16,  1840.     Samuel  Guild,  see  Pew  No.  79,  Lower  Floor. 
Jan.  28,  1842.    Augustus  Perrin,  see  Long  Pew  No.  7  in  Gallery. 
Jan.  26,  1850.     David  Child  Perrin,  b.  July  15,  1825;  d.  Jan.  20,  1879; 

m.  Ellen  Priscilla  Hooper.     Succeeded  his  father   (Augustus  Perrin) 

in  the  Palm  Leaf  business  which  was  increased  by  weaving  the  Palm 

Leaf  with  cotton  warp  thus  making  a  cloth  from  which  Shaker  Hoods 

and  hats  and  caps  were  made. 
Nov.  6,  1866.     J.  Henry  Sears,  Uving. 

May  14,  1867.     John  J.  Dixwell,  see  Pew  No.  60,  Lower  Floor. 
Feb.  12,  1880.    Robert  Chamblet  Hooper,  Trustee,  see  Pew  No.  92, 

Lower  Floor. 

Pew  No.  38,  Lower  Floor 

May  10,  1804.  Cost  $335.00.  Samuel  Wait,  b.  1771;  d.  March  3, 1826; 
m.  Mrs.  Mary  Felton.     Manufacturer  of  leather  breeches. 

May  24,  1826.  Daniel  Andrew  Sigourney,  b.  April  3,  1800;  d.  May 
27,  1875;  m.  Harriet  Davis.  Cashier  of  the  Washington  Bank  of 
Boston.  Member  of  Standing  Committee,  1837.  State  Bank  Com- 
missioner. 


PEW   OWNERS  285 


March  27,  1834.     David  Dudley,  see  Pew  No.  45,  Lower  Floor. 
Sept.  24,  1842.    Hannah  Dudley,  w.  of  David  Dudley. 

Abby  Weld  Dudley,  daughter  of  David  Dudley. 

Pexo  No.  39,  Lower  Floor 

May  10,  1804.     Cost    $340.00.     John    Willluis,  see    Fourth    Meeting 

House. 
May  10,  1804.    William  Patten,  see  Fourth  Meeting  House. 
July  14,  1857.     Charles  Nichols,  see  Pew  No.  33,  Lower  Floor. 
Feb.  23,  1886.    Isaac  Smith  Crupt,  b.  Nov.  24,  1824;  d.  Dec.  27,  1889; 

m.  Mary  Powers  Nichols.     Merchant. 
Nov.  2,  1887.    Robert  B.  Williams,  living. 

Peio  No.  40,  Lower  Floor 

May  10,  1804.     Cost  $315.00.    Amos  Smith,  b.  1749;  d.  March  17, 1826; 

m.  Catherine  Smith  Langdon.     Cordwainer. 
May  10,  1822.     Elnathan  Taber,  b.   Feb.   14,  1768;  d.  Feb.   27,  1854; 

m.  Catherine  Partridge.     Learned  the  clockmaker's  trade  of  Aaron 

Willard.     Made  clocks  until  1850. 
Sept.  1, 1845.    Nathaniel  IMayhew,  b.  June  22,  1788;  d.  Dec.  21,  1851; 

m.  Nancy  Allen.     Sea  captain,  afterwards  ship-broker. 
Dec.  2,  1852.     Thomas   Wiley,    d.    June,  1860;   m.    Margaret , 

Bookseller  and  Publisher. 
Oct.  30,  1856.     George  Packer,  see  Pew  No.  44  in  Gallery. 
May  9,  1859.     William  Gray  Jr.,  b.  July  2,  1837;  d.  Aug.  16, 1886;  m. 

Catherine  Hays  Cunningham.     Treasurer  of  the  Altantic  and  Indian 

Orchard  Mills. 
Jan.  21,  1860.     Elisa  Whitwell,  dau.  of  Samuel  Whitwell. 
March  26,  1878.    Arthur   Malcohm    Thomas,  b.    April  25,    1844;    d. 

Dec.  6,  1879;   m.  Mary  Sarah  Sargent.     He  inherited  a  large  estate 

and  gave  his  life  to  its  care. 
Oct.  12,  1887.     Charles  Henry  Heesey,  living. 

Pew  No.  41,  Loiver  Floor 

INIay  10,  1804.     Cost  $305.00.    William  Davis,  see  Deacons. 
Jan.  22,  1805.     Jonathan  Dorr,  see  Pew  No.  84,  Lower  Floor. 
Nov.  15,  1810.    William  Davis,  see  Deacons. 
Dec.  1,  1821.    Elijah  Lewis,  see  Pew  No.  64,  Lower  Floor. 
Aug.  23,  1823.    Hon.  William  Gray,  b.  June  27,  1750;  d.  Nov.  4,  1825; 
m.    Elizabeth    Chipraan.     Merchant.    Senator.    Lieut.-Govemor. 


286  THE   FIFTH   MEETING   HOUSE 

March  8,  1827.     Samuel  Stillman,  b.  Jan.  31,  1796;  d.  March  17,  1878; 

m.  Sarah  ColHns  Baldwin.     Wliolesale  dry  goods  merchant. 
May  2,  1835.     Walter   Farnsworth,  b.    1798;   d.    Feb.  26,  1881;    m. 

EUzabeth  Loring  Young.     Dry  goods  merchant.     Trustee  of  estates. 
Nov.  3,  1846.     Jonathan   Pratt  Robinson,  see   Square  Pew  No.   7  in 

Gallery. 
Jan.  25,  1861.    Willlum  James  Reynolds,  see  Pew  No.  65  in  Gallery. 
Oct.  7,  1887.    Henry   O.  Stratton,  b.    Jan.,  1837;   d.    July  15,    1894. 

Dealer  in  hardware. 


Pew  No.  42,  Lower  Floor 

May  10,  1804.  Cost  $270.00.  Susanna  Davis,  dau.  of  Capt.  Aaron 
Davis. 

Jan.  6,  1845.  Horatio  Davis,  b.  April  2,  1810;  d.  Aug.  18,1861.  Un- 
married.    Merchant. 

Jan.  28,  1850.  George  Alfred  Fisk,  b.  Oct.  11, 1812;  d.  Jan.  15, 1883; 
m.  Sarah  W.  Clap.     Hardware  dealer. 

Feb.  20,  1866.     Henry  Lefrelet  Daggett,  see  Pew  No.  57  in  Gallery. 

June  15,  1883.     JVIaithew  Binnet,  living. 


Pew  No.  43,  Lower  Floor 

May  10, 1804.    Cost  $261.00.    Mrs.  Hannah  Curtis. 

Nov.  1,  1834.    Milton  Durand,  m.  Louisa .    Innkeeper. 

March  10, 1842.    Nathaniel  Snow,  b.  April  30,  1812;  d.  Nov.  10,  1862. 

Unmarried.     Merchant. 
Nov.  13,  1863.     Salome  Snow,  sister  of  Nathaniel  Snow. 
June  10,  1892.     Gorham  Rogers,  living. 


Pew  No.  44,  Lower  Floor 

May  10,  1804.     Cost  $260.00.     Ebenezer  Smith,  b.   1752;  d.  May  19, 

1822;    m.  Abigail  Williams.     Victualler. 
May  10,  1804.     Joseph  Ware,  b.    1780;   d.    July  22,  1830;   m.   Nancy 

Smith.     Marketman. 
Oct.  1,  1830.     Gut  Carlton,  b.    1788;   d.    Jan.    31,  1840;   m.   Abigail 

Hovey.     Manager  of  a  morocco  factory. 
Jan.  20,  1834.    John  Lemist,  see  Pew  No.  29,  Lower  Floor. 
Feb.  18,  1836.     Nabby  Carlton,  w.  of  Guy  Carlton. 
March  23, 1836.     Guy  Carlton  Jr.,  b.  July  22, 1812;  d.  March  23, 1903; 

m.  Charlotte  Howe.    Merchant. 


PEW   OWNERS  287 


Aug.  22,  1838.     Ralph  Crooker,  see  Pew  No.  46,  Lower  Floor. 
March  16,  1878.    Edward  Belcher  Reynolds,  see  Deacons. 
March  26,  1883.    Horace  Bacon,  living. 

Pew  No.  45,  Lmver  Floor 

May  10,  1804.     Cost  $240.00.    Edward  Jewett  Robbins,  b. ,  1779; 

d.  Sept.  6,  1825;   m.  (1)  Mary  Hohnes  Curtis,  (2)  EHzabeth . 

Trader. 
April  7,  1806.    Remember  Preston,  b.  Nov.  27,  1756;  d.  April  18,  1832; 

m.  (1)  Mary  Davis,  (2)  Sarah  Clark. 
May  12,  1825.    David   Dudley,  b.  Aug.    23,  1787;   d.  April   21,  1841; 

m.    Hannah    Davis.     Merchant.     President   of    the  Traders'    Bank. 

Member  Standing  Committee,  1830  &  1832. 
July  9,  1834.     George  Adams,  b.   Sept.  10,  1792;  d.  Dec.   21,  1868;  m. 

Mary  Ann  Leach.     Commission  merchant. 
Oct.  21,  1848.     John  Joseph  INLvy,  see  Deacons. 
April  7,  1902.     Edward  IVLiy,  living. 


Peio  No.  46,  Lower  Floor 

May  10,  1804.     Cost  $206.00.     John  Seaver,  see  Fourth  Meeting  House. 

April  5,  1805.     Benjamin  Duick,  see  Pew  No.  98,  Lower  Floor. 

Nov.  3,  1829.     Abijah  Merriam,  see  Pew  No.  79,  Lower  Floor. 

Feb.  10,  1830.     Joseph  Callender,  b.  Dec.  15,  1789;  d.  Sept.  23,  1855. 

June  4,  1832.  Joshua  Seaver,  b.  Jan.  15,  1779;  d.  Sept.  11,  1833;  m. 
Nancy  Sumner.  Taught  school  in  Jamaica  Plain.  Postmaster  of 
Roxbiu-y. 

June  30,  1838.  Ralph  Crooker,  b.  May  28,  1801;  d.  March  2,  1886;  m. 
Marietta  Hathaway  Borden.  Overseer  of  the  Iron  IVIills  Corporation 
on  Parker  St.,  afterwards  Superintendent  of  the  Bay  State  Iron  Works, 
South  Boston. 

Aug.  28,  1838.  Joel  Seaverns,  b.  April  18,  1801;  d.  April  14,  1853;  m. 
Ann  T.  Seaver.     Farmer.     His  farm  is  now  Forest  Hills  Cemetery. 

Aug.  5,  1839.     George  Arthur  Simmons,  see  Long  Pew  No.  2  in  Gallery. 

Feb.  16,  1843.  Capt.  James  Huckins,  b.  Jan.  29,  1798;  d.  Oct.  11,  1868; 
m.  Lucj'  J.  Crocker.  At  first  in  the  starch  business  in  Roxbury, 
afterwards  owner  of  the  famous  clipper  ships  Northern  Light  and 
Golden  Light  the  former  making  the  fastest  passage  on  record 
between  Boston  and  San  Francisco  —  76  days,  5  hours. 

March  5, 1883.     John  H.  Haines,  b. ,  1839;  d.  Sept.  2,  1889. 

March  18,  1890.    Mary  P.  Bacon,  li\dng. 


288    '  THE   FIFTH   MEETING   HOUSE 

Pew  No.  47,  Lower  Floor 

May  10,  1804.    Cost  $171.00.    Stephen  Sampson,  d.  Feb.,   1826;    m. 

Mary  Morse.    Tanner. 
Oct.  18,  1817.    Benjamin  Mtrick,  b.  April  14,  1776;  d.  Oct.  1,  1838;  m. 

Sarah  Goding.     Tanner.     A  founder  of  the  Universalist  Church. 
April  30,  1824.     John  Lemist,  see  Pew  No.  29,  Lower  Floor. 
June  6,  1838.    Levi  Bartlett,  b.  June  3,  1784;   d.  June  21,  1864;  m. 

Clarissa  Walker.     Merchant. 
Oct.  9,  1845.      Whiting  Hewins,  b.  Aug.  13,  1789;  d.  Aug.  16,  1855; 

m.  Olive  Easty.     Oil  merchant. 
Jan.  16,  1900.    Albert  Fearing  Hayden,  living. 

Pew  No.  48,  Lower  Floor 

May  10,  1804.     Cost  $193.00.     Jonathan  Champnet,  b.  Feb.  6,  1737; 

d.  Aug.  14,  1809;  m.  Elizabeth  Pierce.     Cordwainer. 
May  7,  1889.     James  Howe  Champney,  see  Square  Pew  No.  3  in  Gallery. 

Pew  No.  49,  Lower  Floor 

May  10,  1804.     Cost  $175.00,    Ebenezer  Bugbee,  see  Fourth  Meeting 

House. 
May  18,  1825.    Asa  Bugbee,  b.  June  24,  1790;   d.  Dec.  15,  1831;   m. 

Jane .     Painter. 

Jan.  5,  1832.    Alpheus  M.  Withington.     Carpenter. 

Jime  30,  1835.    Benjamin  Franklin  Copeland,  see  Pew  No.  27.    Lower 

Floor. 
April   13,   1836.     Benjamin  Franklin  Campbell,  b.  July  6,  1806;    d. 

March  29,   1874;  m.  Mary  Lilley.     Machinist.     A  Director   of   the 

People's  Bank. 
April  19,  1843.    Supply  Clap  Thwing,  see  Deacons. 
Sept.  1,  1857.     John  Rogers,  b.  May  11,  1800;   d.  June  15,  1884;   m. 

Sarah  Ellen   Derby.      H.  C.   1820.      President   Roxbury  Charitable 

Society.      President  Roxbury  Home  for  Aged  Women.      Treasurer  of 

the  Vermont  and  Mass.  Railroad  Co.     Treasurer  of  the  Music  Hall 

Association.     Member    Standing     Committee,     1872-1875.     Member 

Music  Committee,  1851-1865. 
Oct.  9,  1884.     Ellen  Derby  Rogers,  dau.  of  John  Rogers. 
May  26,  1888.     James  Clarke  Davis,  b.  Jan.  20,  1838;  d.  May  11,  1905; 

m.    Alice    Paine.     H.    C.    1858.     Was    Class    Secretary.      Lawyer. 

Assistant  District  Attorney.     Member  of  School  Board.     Trustee  of 

large  estates. 
March  29,   1893.    Nathan  Dyer  Robinson,  see  Pew  No.  58,  Lower 

Floor. 


PEW   OWNERS  289 


Pew  No.  50,  Lower  Floor 

May  10,  1804.  Cost  $161.00.  \  pew.  George  Lyon  Farrington,  b. 
,  1764;  d.  Nov.  30,  1823;  m.  Rhoda  Baker.     Cooper. 

May  10,  1804.    One  half  pew.    Charles  Joy,  see  Fourth  Meeting  House. 

April  10,  1809.  One  half  pew.  Stephen  Sampson,  see  Pew  No.  47,  Lower 
Floor. 

Jan.  30,  1823.  One  half  pew.  William  Joy,  b.  Dec.  20,  1800;  m.  Mary 
Parker  Hunt. 

Nov.  7,  1823.  One  quarter  pew.  William  Bacon,  see  Pew  No.  7,  Lower 
Floor. 

Nov.  7,  1823.  One  quarter  pew.  William  Heath  Spooner,  see  Pew  No. 
16,  Lower  Floor. 

Jan.  3,  1848.     John  Adam  Weisse,  see  Long  Pew  No.  5  in  Gallery. 

Nov.  6,  1852.  Henry  White  Pickering,  b.  May  27,  1811;  d.  Aug.  15, 
1898;  m.  Frances  Dana  Goddard.  Stock  broker.  Presdt.  of  the  Old 
Boston  Nat.  Bank.  President  of  the  Boston  Stock  Board.  Member 
Common  Coimcil.  Member  of  the  First  Board  of  License  Commis- 
sioners and  of  the  Overseers  of  the  Poor. 

Jan.  20,  1870.  Stephen  W.  Marston,  Jr.,  b.  Oct.  11,  1819;  d.  Sept. 
4,  1899;  immarried.  Dry  Goods  Conunission  Merchant.  Director 
of  the  National  Webster  Bank. 

Pew  No.  51,  Lower  Floor 
May  10,  1804.     Cost  $221.00.     Five  eighths  of  pew.     Elijah  Dudley,  b^ 

July  26,  1764;  d.  Sept.  6,  1805;  m.  Isabel  Weed.     Cooper. 
May  10,  1804.    Three  eighths  of  pew.     Otis  Gould,  see  Fourth  Meeting 

House. 
Dec.  17,  1827.    Miss  Sarah  Tappan. 

July  26,  1828.    Isabel  Whiting,  w.  of  Moses  Wliiting,  of  Dedham. 
Feb.  9,  1842.     Elizabeth  Whitwell,  dau.  of  Samuel  Whitwell. 
Feb.  9,  1860.    Daniel  Stantford,  b.  April  22,  1814;  d.  Feb.  21,  1879;  m. 

Frances  Ann  Minns  Wheelwright.     Wool  merchant. 

Pew  No.  52,  Lower  Floor 
May  10,  1804.     Cost  $241.00.     Capt.  Jesse  Doggett,  see  Fourth  Meeting 

House. 
April  20,  1814.    Elizabeth  Doggett,  w.  of  Jesse  Doggett. 
April  18,  1845.     Jonathan  Amory  Davis,  see  Pew  No.  89,  Lower  Floor. 
Jan.  4,  1866.    Ann  Wainwright  Davis,  dau.  of  Jonathan  Amory  Davis. 
Jan.  31,  1884.    Henry  Dan  Wilmarth,  see  Deacons. 

Pew  No.  53,  Lower  Floor. 
May  10,  1804.    Cost  $260.00.    Willlim  Blanet,  see  Fourth  Meeting 
House. 


290  THE   FIFTH   MEETING   HOUSE 

May  19,  1825.     Catherine  Blaney,  w.  of  William  Blaney. 

Sept.  20,  1847.    Horace  Bacon,  b. ,  1801;  d.  Aug.  14,  1850;  m. 

Miranda  Wood.     City  messenger.     Sexton  of  this  church. 
Nov.  22,  1847.    Edward  Darley  Boit,  b.  Aug.  31,  1813;  d.  Oct.  25,  1890; 

m.  Jane  Parkinson  Hubbard.     H.  C.  1834.     Lawyer.     Representative. 
May  29,  1848.     James  Guild,  b.  July  12,  1811;  d.  May  3,  1887;  m.  (1) 

Sophia  Buckland  Child,  (2)  Ann  Eliza  Gore,  (3)  Caroline  Whitmarsh. 

A  Graduate  of  Roxbury  Latin  School.     Leather  merchant.     Member 

of  Standing  Committee  1853.     Trustee  of  the  Roxbury  Latin  School 

and  its  Treasm-er  in  1855.     President  and  Director  of  the  People's 

Bank.     President  Roxbury  Gas  Light  Co. 
Nov.  7,  1850.    Frederick  Guild,  living. 
Dec.  4,  1891.     James  Clarke  Davis,  see  Pew  No.  49,  Lower  Floor. 

Pew  No.  54,  Lower  Floor 

May  10,  1804.     Cost  $271.00.    Ebenezek  Seaver,  see  Fourth  Meeting 

House. 
April  14, 1855.     Sarah  Parker,  dau.  of  Ebenezer  Seaver  and  w.  of  Thomas 

Parker. 
April  1,  1884.     Sarah  Parker,  dau.  of  Thomas  Parker. 

Pew  No.  55,  Lower  Floor 

May   10,   1804.     Cost  $300.00.    Thomas  Wyman,   see  Fourth  Meeting 

House. 
Oct.  18,  1817.    Isaac  Wyman,  b.  March  27,  1795;  d.  Nov.  6,  1872;  m. 

Catherine  Taber.     Farmer. 
Feb.  5,  1880.     Emmeline  Hayward,  see  Pew  No.  107,  Lower  Floor. 
March  30,  1883.     John  Tetlow,  Uving. 

Pew  No.  56,  Lower  Floor 

May  10,  1804.    Cost  $321.00.    Col.  William  Barnes,  see  Fourth  Meeting 

House. 
May  18,  1825.     Jane  Barnes,  w.  of  Col.  William  Barnes. 
July  17,  1833.    Moses  Whiting,  b. ,1780;  d.  March  19,    1842;    m. 

Percis  Rice  Clark. 
July  1,  1846.     Benjamin  Bangs,  b.  Dec.  10,  1783;  d.  June  18,  1860;  m. 

Sophia  Nye.     Merchant.     Owner  of  ships.     Interested  in  Valparaiso 

trade.     Member  of  Common  Council.     Representative. 
Oct.  23,  1860.     Charlotte  Augusta  Bradstreet,  dau.  of  Benj.  Bangs, 

and  w.  of  Samuel  Bradstreet. 


PEW   OWNERS  291 


Pew  No.  57,  Lower  Floor 

May  10,  1804.     Cost  $330.00.    Heirs  of  the  Pierpont  Estate. 

Aug.  16,  1806.     Samuel  Gore,  bap.  Dec.  23,  1770;  d.  Dec.  11,  1824;  m. 

Abigail  Wliite.     Farmer. 
March  10,  1830.     William  Fisk,  b.  Dec.  20,  1770;  d.  June  11,  1844;  m. 

Eunice  White.     Cabinet  maker.     Measurer  of  wood. 
Feb.  28,  1843.     Capt.  Archelaus  Rea,  b.  Feb.  12,  1778;  d.  Sept.  — ,  1864; 

m.    (1)    EUzabeth   Mason,    (2)   Maria   JNIarsh   Woodbridge.     Master 

Mariner.     Agent  of  Salem  Iron  Co. 
Nov.  16,  1847.     Philip  Dumaresq,  b.  April  13,  1804;  d.  June  25,  1861 ;  m. 

Margarita  Deblois.     Educated  at  Gardiner,  Me.     Commanded  a  ship 

at  the  age  of  twenty,  and  for  thirty  years  prominent  in  his  profession. 

He  was  the  first  American  who  began  the  traffic  with   the  Japanese 

after  the  American  Treaty  of  Commerce. 
Oct.  8,  1855.     James  Sttjrgis,  b.  Aug.  21,  1822;  d.  Jan.  21,  1888;  m.  Mary 

Catharine   Townsend.     Engaged   in   the   East   India,    China,    South 

Africa  and  Australian  trades.     On  the  staff  of  Gov.  Alex.  H.  Rice. 
Jan.  30,  1880.     James  Thacher  Hatward,  see  Pew  No.  85,  Lower  Floor. 
Nov.  24,  1886.     James  Warren  Hayward,  see  Long  Pew  No.  34,  in 


Gallery. 


Pew  No.  58,  Lower  Floor 


May  10,  1804.     Cost  $338.00.    Humphrey  Bicknall,  see  Fourth  Meeting 

House. 
May  10,  1804.     Simeon  Pratt,  see  Fourth  Meeting  House. 
May  6,  1837.    Polly  Lewis,  w.  of  Thomas  Lewis. 
Feb.  9,  1854.     George  Foster  Williams,  b.  Aug.  17,  1805;  d.  Dec.  5, 

1872 ;  m.  Susan  Lucy  Fellowes.    Member  of  the  firm  of  Hall  &  Williams, 

afterwards  Tucker  &  Williams. 
Nov.  11,  1878.    Nathan  Dyer  Robinson,  b.  June  20,  1835;  d.  April  11, 

1895 ;  m.  Elizabeth  Leman  Parker.     Member  of  the  firm  of  MacuUar 

Parker  &  Co.,  dry  goods.    Member  of  the  Boston  Art  Club  and  the 

Roxbury  Club. 

Pew  No.  59,  Lower  Floor 

May  10, 1804.    Cost  $351.00.     Joel  Seaverns,  see  Fomih  Meeting  House. 

May  10,  1804.     Samuel  Seaverns,  b. ,  1782;  d.  April  29,  1810;  m. 

Charlotte  Williams. 
July  26,  1817.     Charlotte  Seaverns,  w.  of  Samuel  Seaverns. 
July  26,  1824.    William  Langley,  see  Square  Pew  No.  28,  in  Gallery. 
May  14,  1825.    Aaron  Kingsbury,  see  Pew  No.  92,  Lower  Floor. 


292  THE   FIFTH    MEETING    HOUSE 

April  18,  1856.  William  B.  Kingsbuky,  b.  Dec.  14,  1806;  d.  April  6,  1872; 
m.  Freelove  Fenner.  Farmer.  Alderman.  Treasurer  Roxbury  Gas 
Light  Co.     Trustee  of  Institution  for  Savings  in  Roxbury  and  Vicinity. 

Nov.  27,  1875.  Edward  C.  R.  Walker,  b.  Dec.  11,  1823;  d.  Oct.  11,  1897; 
m.  Henrietta  Kingsbury.     Manufacturer. 


Pew  No.  60,  Lower  Floor 

May  10,  1804.     Cost  $341.00.    Deacon  Joshua  Felton,  see  Deacons. 

May  10,  1804.     Zabdiel  Adams,  see  Fourth  Meeting  House. 

May  16,  1825.    Abigail  P.  Adams,  w.  of  Zabdiel  Adams. 

Feb.  9,  1828.    Dr.  Zabdiel  Botlston  Adams,   b.    Feb.    19,    1793;    d. 

Jan.  25,  1855;  m.  Sarah  May  Holland.     H.  C.  1813.     M.  D.  1816. 
Aug.  10,  1833.     Samuel  Billings,  see  Pew  No.  94,  Lower  Floor. 
Nov.  27,  1844.     John  Bumstead,  b.  Jan.   12,  1778;  d.  Oct.  29,  1857; 

m.  (1)  Frances   Gore,  (2)  Sarah  Gore.     Merchant  and  dealer  in  real 

estate. 
July  28,  1866.     John  James  Dixwell,  b.  June  27,  1806;   d.  Nov.  14, 

1876;  m.  Eliza  Boardman  Ingersoll  Bowditch. 
May  14,  1867.    J.  Henry  Sears,  see  Pew  No.  65,  in  Gallery. 


Pew  No.  61,  Lower  Floor 

May  10,  1804.  Cost  $320.00.  Major  William  Bosson,  b.  Apr.  28, 
1753;  d.  after  1818;  m.  (1)  Prudence  Mayo,  (2)  Susanna  Mayo.  One 
of  the  minute  men  at  Lexington.  Major  in  the  Continental  Army. 
Parish  Clerk,  1815  to  1817.  Member  Parish  Committee,  1805,  1806, 
1815,  1816. 

Nov.  20,  1816.     Elijah  LET\as,  see  Pew  No.  64,  Lower  Floor. 

Aug.  26,  1818.  Samuel  Hewes,  b.  May  4,  1767;  d.  Oct.  21,  1860. 
Unmarried.     Dry   Goods  Merchant.     Capt.  of  the  Boston  Fusileers. 

June  21,  1821.  William  Cooper  Hunneman,  b.  July  10,  1769;  d.  May 
10,  1856;  m.  Hannah  Hewes.  Coppersmith.  Brass  founder  and 
manufacturer  of  hand  fire  engines.  President  of  Mass.  Charitable 
Society.  One  of  the  Deacons  of  West  Boston  Church.  (Rev.  Dr. 
Charles  IjOwcU). 

Feb.  19,  1856.  William  Cooper  Hunneman,  Jr.,  b.  Jan.  4,  1830;  d. 
Jan.  28,  1869;  m.  Sally  Williams  Patten.  First  in  the  drug  business 
and  later  a  manufacturer  of  varnishes. 

March  29,  1869.  Sidney  Bartlett,  b.  Feb.  13,  1799;  d.  March  6,  1889; 
m.  Caroline  Pratt.  H.  C.  1818.  Taught  school  in  Scituate.  In  1821 
admitted  to  the  Bar  where  he  became  the  leader.     One  of  the  founders 


PEW   OWNERS  293 


and  first  president  of  the  Boston  Bar  Assn.     Member  of  the  Legis- 
lature and  also  of  Constitutional  Convention.     Received  from  Harvard 
College  Honorary  Degree  of  LL.D.  in  1855. 
Feb.   l^,   1880.      Ciiakles    Frederick    Bradford,  see   Pew  No.   104, 
Lower  Floor. 

Pew  No.  62,  Lower  Floor 

May  10,  1804.  Cost  $340.00.  William  Pratt,  b.  May  18,  1776;  d. 
Feb.  5,  1826;  m.  Mary  Wj-man.     Currier. 

June  7,  1825.     Charles  Durant,  see  Square  Pew  No.  8,  in  Gallery. 

July  1,  1829.    Aaron  Kingsbury,  see  Pew  No.  92,  Lower  Floor. 

Nov.  2,  1830.     Supply  Clap  Thwing,  see  Deacons. 

April  18,  1843.  John  Murray  Forbes,  b.  Feb.  23,  1813;  d.  Oct.  12, 
1898;  m.  Sarah  Hathaway.  Merchant.  One  of  the  leaders  who 
gave  an  impetus  to  the  great  Railway  systems  of  the  West.  A  Director 
of  the  Chicago  Burlington  and  Quincy  Rail  Road  from  1857  until  his 
death,  also  Chairman  of  the  Board  of  Directors  and  President  of  the 
same  Railroad.  Elector  at  large  at  President  Lincoln's  election  in  1860. 
Member  of  Peace  Congress  Feb  .  1861.,  Deputy  Commissary  under 
Governor  Andrew  in  1861.  One  of  two  persons  sent  by  the  Secre- 
taries of  State  and  Navy  on  a  private  mission  to  England  March  1863. 
One  of  the  founders  of  the  Sanitary  Commission.  "  In  the  CwH  War 
he  did  more  for  his  country  than  any  other  private  citizen  and  we 
owed  our  success  as  much  to  him  as  to  any  other  man."     (Judge  Hoar.) 

April  27;  1874.  Edwin  Read,  b. 1815;  d.  March  12,  1887.  Auc- 
tioneer. 

Jan.  26,*1878.     John  Coffin  Jones  Brown,  li\'ing. 

Pew  No.  63,  Lower  Floor 

May  10,  1804.     Cost    $320.00.    David    Poignand,    m.    Delicia . 

Merchant.     Removed  to  Lancaster. 

April  12,  1810.     Nathaniel  Scott,  see  Fourth  INIeeting  House. 

Jan.  8,  1816.  THO^LVs  Whittemore  Scott,  b.  Dec.  20,  1793;  d.  May  1, 
1824;   m.  Susan  Curtis  Brewer.     Manufacturer. 

Sept.  1,  1835.  Enoch  Bartlett,  b.  Feb.  17,  1779;  d.  June  25,  1860; 
m.  Abby  Kane  DeWolf.  A  merchant  who  laid  the  foundation  of  his 
fortune  by  importing  a  cargo  of  English  dry  goods  just  before  the  War 
of  1812.  A  pioneer  member  and  a  Vice  President  of  the  Mass.  Horti- 
cultural Society.  The  "Bartlett  Pear"  was  named  in  honor  of  him 
having  been  first  introduced  from  Great  Britain  into  the  garden  which 
he  afterwards  purchased. 

Nov.  15,  1860.     Ann  D.  Bartlett,  daughter  of  Enoch  Bartlett. 

May  6,  1874.     Caroline  Bartlett,  daughter  of  Enoch  Bartlett. 


294  THE   FIFTH   MEETING   HOUSE 

Pew  No.  64,  Lower  Floor 

May  10,  1804.     Cost    $306.00.     Elijah    Lewis,  b.    March    3,  1773;    d. 

Dec.  15,  1858;  m.  (1)  Fanny  Sumner,  (2)  Elizabeth  Sumner  Daggett. 

Associated  with  Charles  and  Aaron  Da\'is  manufacturers  and  exporters. 

Alderman.     Representative.     Captain     of     Roxbiu-y     Fire     Brigade. 

Member  of  Parish  Committee  in  1823. 
Apr.  12,  1859.     George  Lewis,  see  Long  Pew  No.  17,  in  Gallery. 

Pew  No.  65,  Lower  Floor 

May  10,  1804.     Cost  $214.00.     John  Dove,  reverted  to  Parish. 

April  25,  1806.     Lucy  Bowman,  see  Pew  No.  91,  Lower  Floor. 

Jan.  24,  1807.     Deacon  Samuel  Sumner,  see  Deacons. 

May  4,  1818.     William  Hamlet,  see  Fourth  Meeting  House. 

Jan.  6,  1845.  Abraham  F.  Howe,  b.  May,  1783;  d.  Nov.  29,  1861;  m. 
Mary  Woodman.  At  first  a  West  Indian  merchant  afterwards  an 
auctioneer.  President  in  the  Norfolk  M.  F.  Ins.  Co.  Special  county 
commissioner.     Held  offices  in  the  City  of  Government. 

March  25,  1845.     Joseph  White,  see  Pew  No.  90,  Lower  Floor. 

June  21,  1845.  Lyman  Locke,  b.  Jan.  25,  1804;  d.  Dec.  23,  1861;  m. 
(1)  Almeria  Rosahne  Boynton,  (2)  Eliza  Anne  Lane,  (3)  Frances  Brew- 
ster. Manufacturer  of  weighing  scales  and  afterwards  purchased  and 
conducted  an  iron  fomidry. 

June  20,  1850.  Thomas  Lord  of  Boston,  d.  Jan.  1860.  Merchant  and 
dealer  in  real  estate. 

Jan.  2,  1854.  Samuel  Allds  Way,  b.  Dec.  17,  1816;  d.  June  4,  1872; 
m.  Sarah  Ann  Simpson.  Banker.  Organized  the  first  bank  under 
the  Mass.  Free  Banking  Law.     Large  real  estate  holder. 

April  15,  1857.  James  Ritchie,  b.  May  12,  1815;  d.  March  16,  1873; 
m.  (1)  Caroline  Whitaker,  (2)  Mary  Jane  Kimball.  H.  C.  1835.  Prm- 
cipal  of  the  Partridge  Academy  in  Duxbury.  Mayor  of  Roxbirry. 
President  Roxbrny  Charitable  Society.  City  ISIissionary.  One  of  the 
founders  of  the  Old  Ladies'  Home.  Editor  of  the  Norfolk  County 
Journal.  Trustee  of  the  Roxbury  Latin  School.  Representative. 
Assessor  of  Internal  Revenue.    Member  of  Governor  Andrew's  Council. 

July  15,  1867.     Seaman  Klous,  living. 

This  pew  was  removed  in  1888  to  give  space  for  the  new  pulpit. 

Pew  No.  66,  Lower  Floor 

May  10,  1804.     Cost  $260.00.    Moses  Davis,  see  Fourth  Meeting  House. 
April  24,  1824.     Ezra  Morse,  b.   Nov.    16,  1765;  d.  Oct.    17,  1826;  m. 
Rebecca  Thomas.     Soap  boiler. 


PEW   OWNERS  295 


May  8,  1830.     Ezekiel  D.  Dyer,  m.  Mrs.  Rebecca  Morse.     Gold-beater. 
June  13,  1834.     Amos     Stevens,    b. 1803;     d.    Feb.  25,    1861;  m. 

Susan .     Merchant  and  Manager  of  a  balance  factory. 

Dec.  30,  1835.     Nahum  Wakd,  b.   Oct.   10,  1801;   d.   Nov.   9,  1858;   m. 

(1)  Susan  Grn-ney,  (2)  Ruth  Stetson  Gurney.     Manufacturer  of  tallow 

candles   and   settled   soap.     Alderman.     Dii-ector   of  Nat.   Rockland 

Bank. 
March  28,  1860.    Ruth  Stetson  Ward,  w.  of  Nahum  Ward. 

Pew  No.  67,  Lower  Floor 

May  10,  1804.  Cost  $202.00.  Nathaniel  Patten,  d.  before  1822,  in 
Missouri ;  m.  Nancy  Scott.  One  of  the  Committee  of  Correspondence 
during  the  Revolution.  One  of  the  original  incorporators  of  the  Bos- 
ton Marine  Society.  Ropemaker.  His  daughter  Sarah  was  the  first 
child  baptized  in  this  meeting  house,  June  10,  1804. 

May  10,  1804.     Benjamin  Marshall,  see  Fourth  Meeting  House. 

Sept.  12, 1807.  Nathaniel  Shepherd  Prentiss,  b.  Aug.  7, 1766;  d.  Nov. 
5,  1853;  m.  Abigail  Pico.  H.  C.  1789.  Began  the  practice  of  medi- 
cine in  Marlborough.  In  1801  he  removed  to  Roxbury  and  took 
charge  of  the  Roxbm-y  Latin  School  for  eight  years.  Afterwards  kept 
a  private  school.  Representative.  Town  Clerk  about  30  years.  Parish 
Clerk.  Member  of  Parish  Committee.  Helped  to  establish  the  First 
Baptist  Church  in  Roxbiu-y  and  one  of  the  founders  of  the  Ehot  Con- 
gregational Church  in  Kenilworth  Street. 

May  30,  1821.     Samuel  Guild,  see  Pew  No.  79,  Lower  Floor. 

Nov.  16,  1840.     Baalust  Stone,  see  Pew  No.  37,  Lower  Floor. 

Feb.  8,  1862.  Samuel  Crocker  Cobb,  b.  May  22,  1826;  d.  Feb.  18,  1891; 
m.  Amelia  Ladd  Beattie.  Merchant.  Pres.  of  the  Mass.  Society  of 
the  Cincinnati.  Alderman  of  Roxbiu-y.  Alderman  and  Mayor  of 
Boston.  Trustee  of  Fellowes  Athenseiun.  Trustee  of  Roxbury  Latin 
School.  Member  of  Standing  Committee.  President  of  Roxbury 
Charitable  Society.  Member  of  the  Board  of  Public  Institutions. 
President  of  Nat.  Revere  Bank.  Trustee  National  SaUors'  Home. 
Actuary  of  the  Mass.  Hospital  Life  Ins.  Co. 

Dec.  21,  1877.    William  Addison  Beattie.    Living. 

Pew  No.  68,  Lower  Floor 

May  10,  1804.  Cost  $311.00.  William  Hannaford,  m.  Betsey  Knower. 
Currier.     A  founder  of  the  Universalist  Church. 

March  7,  1822.  Samuel  Doggett,  b.  Feb.  12,  1794;  d.  Aug.  18,  1856; 
m.  Lois  Currier.  Manufacturer  of  mirrors,  picture  frames,  &c.  Cap- 
tain of  the  Norfolk  Guards  of  Roxbury. 


296  THE   FIFTH    MEETING   HOUSE 

Jan.  7,  1845.   'Henrt  Pettes,  b.  May  24,  1810;   d.  Aug.  29,  1882;   ni. 

Mary  Barrett.     Merchant. 
Feb.  16,  1860.     John  Reed,  b. ,  1812,  d.  July  26,  1892;  m.  Harriet 

White.     Vice-Treasurer  Provident  Institution  for  Savings. 

Pew  No.  69,  Lower  Floor 

May  10,  1804.     Cost  $347.00.    Thomas  Rumrill.     One  half  pew,  see 

Fourth  Meeting  House. 
May  10,  1804.    Nathaniel  Richardson.     One  half  pew.     b.  March  19, 

1780;  d.  April  18,  1812;  m.  Mary  Dwight  Coverly. 
Jan.   10,   1807.     Benjamin  Weld.     One  quarter  pew,  see  Pew  No.  75, 

Lower  Floor. 
Jan.   10,   1807.     Jesse  Doggett.     One   quarter  pew,  see  Pew  No.  52, 

Lower  Floor. 
July  25,  1825.     Samuel  Jackson   Gardner.     One  half    pew,  see  Pew 

No.  32,  Lower  Floor. 
Feb.  13,  1826.     John  Weld  Childs,  b.  Feb.  8,  1789;  d.  March  21,  1864; 

m.  Sarah  Richards. 
Jan.  19,  1830.     Charles  Frederick  Gore,  b. ,  1799;   d.  June  10, 

1857.     Gardener. 
Jan.  19,  1830.     Joseph  Warren  Tucker,  see  Deacons. 

July  3,  1833.     Samuel  Perkins,  b. ,  1771;  d.  Aug.  3,  1846. 

Aug.  9,  1843.    Abigail  Perkins. 

Feb.  27,  1850.     Gushing  Stetson,  b.  Apr.  26,  1800;  d.  March,  1865;  m. 

Mrs.  Frances  (Burrows)  Bowles.     Merchant. 
Sept.  30,  1863.     George  W.  Wheelwtught,  see  Long  Pew  No.  4,  in 

Gallery. 

Pew  No.  70,  Lower  Floor 

May  10,  1804.  Cost  $310.00.  Thomas  Kilby  Jones,  bap.  Feb.  — , 
1759;  d.  April  26,  1842;  m.  Polly  Morton.  Auctioneer  and  Mer- 
chant. He  built  his  country  seat  "Grove  Hall."  Trustee  and  Vice- 
Pres.  of  Mass.  Fire  Society.     Trustee  of  the  Roxbury  Latin  School. 

Aug.  17,  1833.     John  Jones  Clarke,  see  Square  Pew  No.  31  in  Gallery. 

June  19, 1834.    Edward  Brinlet,  b. ,  1809;  d.  July  13,  1868;  m.  Ann 

Matilda  Bartlett.     Druggist. 

March  31,  1843.    Hezekiah    Blanchard,  b. ;  d.  May,  1864;    m. 

Charlotte  Porter.  Dealer  in  seeds.  Member  of  New  England  Guards 
in  1812. 

Pew  No.  71,  Lower  Floor 

May  10,  1804.    Cost  $298.00.    Nehemiah  Munroe,  see  Deacons. 


PEW   OWNERS  297 


Dec.  29,  1828.  Samuel  Hewes  Hunneman,  b.  Feb.  12,  1800;  d.  Jan.  15, 
1869;  m.  Elizabeth  Champney.  Coppersmith.  Builder  of  the  cele- 
brated Hunneman  Hand  and  Steam  Fire  Engines  in  Roxbury.  Presi- 
dent of  Mass.  Mechanic  Charitable  Association.  Member  of  the 
Roxbiu-y  Social  Library.     Engineer  of  the  Roxbury  Fire  Department. 

Feb.  1,  1883.    Augustus  Pakker,  see  Pew  No.  69,  in  Gallery. 

Nov.  23,  1898.    William  Prentiss  Parker.    Living. 

Pew  No.  72,  Lower  Floor 

May  10,  1804.     Cost  $299.00.    Ebenezer  Crafts,  see  Deacons. 

April  12,  1844.    Miss  Sarah  Stoddard,  from  New  London. 

Nov.  29,  1844.    Ebenezer  Crafts,  see  Deacons. 

,  1864.    William  Augustus  Crafts,  b.  Oct.  28,  1819;   d.  Oct.  30, 

1906;    m.  Emily  Daggett.     H.   C.   1840.     Lawyer.     Established  the 

Norfdk    County   Journal  in    1849.     Member  of   Common   Council. 

Member  of  School  Committee.     Representative.     Clerk  of  the  State 

Board  of  Railroad  Commissioners. 


Pew  No.  73,  Lower  Floor 

May  10,  1804.  Cost  $297.00.  Eleb  Faxon,  b.  Jan.  9,  1756;  d.  Oct.  6, 
1820;  m.  Ruth  Ann  Hathaway.  Blacksmith.  Proprietor  of  a  large 
iron  factory  casting  cannon  used  in  the  War  of  1812.  A  foimder  of 
the  Universalist  Church. 

March  22,  1822.    Ruth  Faxon,  dau.  of  Eleb  Faxon. 

Jan.  2,  1836.    Amos  Stevens,  see  Pew  No.  66,  Lower  Floor. 

March  3,  1853.  Thomas  Motley,  Jr.,  b.  Feb.  1,  1812;  d.  March  8,  1895; 
m.  Maria  Bussey  Davis.  Agriculturist.  President  of  the  Mass. 
Society  for  the  Promotion  of  Agriculture.  Trustee  of  the  Mass.  Himiane 
Society.     President  of  the  Sailors'  Snug  Harbor. 

Feb.  23,  1880.     Joseph  Warren  Tucker,  see  Deacons. 

Pew  No.  74,  Lower  Floor 

May    10,    1804.     Cost   $302.00.     Nathaniel   Seaver,  b.  Feb.  7,  1773; 

d.  Oct.  27,  1827;  m.  Hannah  Loco.     Merchant. 
Nov.  3,  1829.    Mrs.  Anna  Gardner  Hovet. 
Jan.  12,  1839.    Miss  Sarah  S.  Gardner  of  Cambridge. 
Sept.  20,  1856.     Samuel  William  Rodman,  b.  Oct.  30,  1814;  d.  June  1, 

1906;  m.  Emma  Motley.     Owner  of  Whahng  ships. 
Feb.  10,  1880.    Jeremiah  Plimpton,  see  Deacons. 


298  THE   FIFTH   MEETING   HOUSE 

Pew  No.  15,  Lower  Floor 

May  10,  1804.  Cost  $291.00.  Major  Benjamin  Weld,  see  Fourth  Meet- 
ing House. 

May  10,  1804.  Samuel  Heath,  b.  March  9,  1760;  d.  Sept.  24,  1841;  m. 
Mrs.  Nancy  Greaton.    Tanner. 

March  1,  1849.    Elizabeth  Weld,  dau.  of  Benjamin  Weld. 

Pew  No.  76,  Lower  Floor 

May  10,  1804.     Cost  $273.00.    Hon.  William  Heath,  see  Fourth  Meeting 

House. 

,  1814.    William  Heath,  Jr.,  see  Square  Pew  No.  25,  in  Gallery. 

May  25,  1836.    William  Davis,  Jr.,  b.  July  18,  1801;  d.  April  27,  1865; 

m.  Maria  Davis.     Merchant  and  importer  of  Russian  goods. 
Aug.  25,  1857.     Supply  Clap  Thwing,  see  Deacons. 
March  29,  1878.    Annie  Haven  Thwing,  dau.  of  Supply  Clap  Thwing 
Jan.  28,  1884.     Josiah  Wheelwright,  see  Long  Pew  No.  14,  in  Gallery. 
Dec.  28,  1895.     Walter  Eliot  Thwing,  Uving.    Author  of  this  book. 

Pew  No.  77,  Lower  Floor 

May  10,  1804.     Cost  $260.00.    Benjamin  Seaver,  see  Fourth  Meeting 

House. 
May  28,  1816.    Susannah  McCarty,  w.  of  William  McCarty. 
Feb.  24, 1842.     Joseph  Dudley  Gould,  see  Pew  No.  78,  Lower  Floor. 
Aug.  1,  1878.    Dr.  P.  O'Meara  Edson,  living. 

Pew  No.  78,  Lmoer  Floor 

May  10,  1804.     Cost  $222.00.     Jacob  Gould,  see  Fourth  Meeting  House. 

May  10,  1804.     Solomon  Jones,  see  Fourth  Meeting  House. 

Jan.  11,  1813.    Lucy  Gould,  w.  of  Jacob  Gould. 

Aug.  30,  1828.     Joseph   Dudley   Gould,  b.  May  17,  1807;  d.  April  19, 

1879;  m.  Sarah   Payson  Seaverns.     Dry  goods  merchant.     Partner  of 

Ozias  Field. 
Dec.  29,  1828.     John  Lemist,  see  Pew  No.  29,  Lower  Floor. 
Aug.  1, 1834.    Harrison  Gray,  b. ,  1794;  d.  Aug.  16, 1846  ;m.  Clarissa 

.     Bookseller.    HiUiard,  Gray  &  Co. 

April  11,  1835.    Robert  B.  Schenck. 

Sept.  27, 1836.     Charles  Winship  Holbrook,  b.  Aug.  4, 1804;  d.  June  11, 

1860;  m.  Delia  Ann  Gardner.     Discount  Clerk  City  Bank. 
Dec.  10,  1841.    Leonard  Crocker  Bowles,  b.  Sept.  12, 1796;  d.  March  2 

1876;   m.    Catherine    Cushing    Lincoln.     Bookseller   and    PubUsher. 

Assistant  Secretary  of  the  Mass.  Society  of  the  Cincinnati. 


PEW   OWNERS  299 


Sept.  6,  1842.     Samuel  Maverick  Phillips,  b.  May  19,  1795;  d.  June  8, 

1875 ;  m.  Rebecca  Capen  Simmons.     Merchant. 
Feb.  23,  1880.     George  Morrill,  b.  Sept.  7,  1825;  d.  March  31,  1895;  m. 

Sarah  Emmons  Rogers.     Lawyer  and  Public  Administrator. 

Pew  No.  79,  Loiver  Floor 

May  10,  1804.  Cost  $222.00.  Samuel  Guild,  b.  March  18, 1777;  d.  Jan. 
12, 1862;  m.  Sarah  Mears.  Tanner.  Representative.  Senator.  Presi- 
dent of  the  People's  Bank.  Trustee  of  the  Roxbury  Latin  School. 
President  of  the  Inst,  for  Savings  in  Roxbury.  Member  of  the 
Standing  Committee. 

May  4,  1814.    Major  Abijah  Merriam,  b.  ,  1777;  d.  July  10,  1852; 

m.  Catherine  Cobmn.     Tanner. 

May  7,  1853.     Catherine  Merriam,  dau.  of  Abijah  Merriam. 

Sept.  9,  1853.     Samuel  Parkjian  Blake,  see  Pew  No.  45,  in  Gallery. 

March  26,  1858.     Josiah  Wheelwright,  see  Long  Pew  No  14,  in  Gallery. 

Pew  No.  80,  Lower  Floor 

May  10,  1804.  Cost  $222.00.  WnjJAM  Seaver,  b.  May  6,  1765;  d.  Feb. 
28,  1817;  m.  Lucy  Heath. 

June  1,  1829.  Dr.  Henry  Bartlett,  b.  Dec.  9,  1801;  d.  July  20,  1872; 
m.  Hannah  Everett.  H.  C.  1820.  A  prominent  physician  of  Roxbury. 
Member  of  Mass.  Med.  Soc.  A  Founder  of  the  "Home  for  Aged 
Women,  &c."  in  Roxbury.  President  Roxbury  Athenaum.  President 
Roxbury  Gas  Light  Co.  President  Eliot  Savings  Bank.  Trustee  of 
Fellowes  Athenaeum.     Member  of  the  Standing  Committee. 

July  4,  1882.  Anna  Sophia  Everett,  niece  of  Mrs.  Henry  Bartlett,  & 
daughter  of  Thomas  Everett. 

Pew  No.  81,  Lower  Floor 

May  10,   1804.     Cost  $212.00.    Daniel  Saunderson,  b.  1746;  d.  Jan. 

25,  1829;  m.  Sarah  Cunningham. 

March  10,  1830.     Sarah  Saunderson,  w.  of  Daniel  Saunderson. 

May  5,  1843.    Nathaniel  Russell  Sturgis,  b.  Feb.  17,  1779;  d.  Sept. 

26,  1856;  m.  Susan  Parkman.     Merchant. 

March  2,  1844.  Benjamin  Apthorp  Gould,  b.  June  15,  1787;  d.  Oct. 
24, 1859 ;  m.  Lucretia  Dana  Goddard.  H.  C.  1814.  Fellow  Am.  Acad. 
Principal  of  Boston  Latin  School.  Afterwards  engaged  in  the  East 
India  Trade. 


300  THE   FIFTH    MEETING    HOUSE 

Jan.  28,  1851.  George  William  Bond,  b.  June  22,  1811;  d.  May  29, 
1892;  m.  (1)  Sophia  Augusta  May,  (2)  Louisa  C.  Greenwood.  Wool 
broker.  Member  of  School  Committee  of  West  Roxbury.  Trustee 
Suffolk  Savings  Bank.     Treasurer  Mount  Auburn  Cemetery. 

Jan.  17,  1855.  Eben  Bacon,  Jr.,  b.  Aug.  4,  1829;  d.  Feb.  22,  1904;  m. 
Susan  Gilchrist  Low.  Banker.  Treasurer  Hamilton  Mfg.  Co. 
Director  China  Mut.  Ins.  Co.  President  of  Washington  Nat.  Bank. 
Director  of  Sailors'  Snug  Harbor,  and  of  Farm  School  for  Indigent  Boys. 

Jan.  1,  1898.    Theorode  Melville  Plimpton,  living. 

Pew  No.  82,  Lower  Floor 

May    10,    1804.     Cost    $203.00.     Samuel    Blanet,  see  Fourth  Meeting 

House. 
Dec.  16,  1816.    William  Pratt,  see  Pew  No.  62,  Lower  Floor. 
June   26,   1819.      Luther  Morse,  b.  Feb.  3,  1770;  d.  Dec.  4,  1848;  m. 

(1)  Mary  Holmes,  (2)  Elizabeth  Holmes.     Soap  boiler.     A  foimder  of 

the  Universalist  Church. 
June  26,  1819.     Hartford  Morse,  see  Square  Pew  No.  17,  in  Gallery. 
Dec.  17, 1827.     Jonathan  Dorr,  see  Pew  No.  84,  Lower  Floor. 
Dec.  29,  1832.    Nathaniel  Dorr,  see  Pew  No.  97,  Lower  Floor. 
June  13,  1834.     George  Woodman,  b.  Jan.  27,   1796;    d.  May  6,  1874; 

m.  Louisa  Gore.     Merchant.     Judge  of  petty  cases  at  Jamaica  Plain 

lockup.     Member  of  Society  of  War  of  1812. 
April  11,  1835.     Harrison  Gray,  see  Pew  No.  78,  Lower  Floor. 
Jan.  1,  1844.    Nathaniel  R.  Sturgis,  see  Pew  No.  81,  Lower  Floor. 
Dec.  22,  1852.     Francis  Minot  Weld,  b.  April  27, 1815;  d.  Feb.  4, 1886; 

m.  Elizabeth  Rodman.     H.  C.  1835.     Interested  in  the  cotton  and  East 

India  trades.     Treasurer  of  Pembroke  Print  Mills. 
Feb.  21,  1878.    Thomas   Johnston  Homer,  b.  Nov.  1,  1813;  d.  Dec.  25, 

1880;  m.  Mary  Elizabeth  Fisher.    Merchant.    FrankUn  Medal  Scholar. 

Trustee  of  estates. 
Jan.  9,  1882.    Mart  Elisabeth  Homer,  w.  of  Thomas  Johnston  Homer. 
June  1,  1900.     John  Noble,  see  Deacons. 

Pew  No.  83,  Lower  Floor 

May  10,  1804.  Cost  $195.00.  John  Holbrook  Hawes,  b.  Sept.  20, 
1772;  d.  July  21,  1846;  m.  (1)  Achsah ,  (2)  Sally  Clap  Mes- 
senger.    Inherited  an  estate  in  Roxbury. 

May  10,  1804.    Daniel  Whiting;  m.  Elizabeth . 

Feb.  18,  1814.    Jonathan  Freeman  Cook;  m.  Mary  Little. 


PEW   OWNERS  301 


Feb.  4,  1835.     Galen  Bowditch,  b.  March  15, 1772;  d.  March  16, 1853; 

m.  Sally  Davenport.     Blacksmith  and  farmer. 
Aug.  19,  1839.     Joseph  Warren  Tucker,  see  Deacons. 
March  12,  1880.    Mrs.  Maky  R.  Gore. 

Pew  No.  84,  Lower  Floor 

May  10,  1804.  Cost  $195.00.  Jonathan  Dorr,  b.  April  5,  1777; 
d.  Sept.  18,  1841;  m.  Eliza  Smith.  Merchant.  Representative. 
Delivered  an  address  of  welcome  to  General  Andrew  Jackson  on  his 
visit  to  Roxbury.  Interested  in  the  first  omnibus  line  between  Roxbury 
and  Boston.  Member  of  Standing  Committee  in  1825.  Trustee  of 
the  Roxbury  Latin  School. 

Dec.  20,  1832.     Nathaniel  Dorr,  see  Pew  No.  97,  Lower  Floor. 

Sept.  4,  1834.  Capt.  William  C.  Barstow,  b.  May  9, 1801 ;  d.  March  31, 
1864;  m.  Sarah  Foster  Morton.  He  commanded  ships  in  the  New 
York  and  Liverpool  Packet  Co.  imtil  1844,  afterwards  Supt.  and 
Manager  of  the  East  Boston  Land  Co.  One  of  the  founders  and  a 
director  of  the  Maverick  Bank. 

March  8,  1836.  Willlim  Whiting,  b.  March  3,  1813;  d.  June  29,  1873; 
m.  Lydia  Cushing  Russell.  H.  C.  1833.  Admitted  to  the  Bar  in  1838 
and  became  a  leading  lawyer.  Advocated  the  union  of  Roxbury  and 
Boston. 

March  21,  1839.  Adam  Stewart,  b.  1776;  d.  Oct.  15,  1842.  He  was 
called  Doctor. 

March  2,  1844.  George  William  Dodd,  b.  Aug.  26,  1802;  d.  Oct.  31, 
1872;  m.  Catherine  H.  Perkins.     Assistant  Cashier  Atlantic  Bank. 

Oct.  28,  1853.     Harriet  Blanchard,  w.  of  William  Blanchard,  Senior. 

Sept.  24,  1869.    William  Blanchard,  see  Pew  No.  46,  in  Gallery. 

March  15,  1880.  James  G.  Haynes,  b.  1830;  d.  Dec.  29,  1894;  m. 
Charlotte  A.  Folger.     Merchant. 

Jan.  10,  1904.    Rev.  Charles  Richmond  Weld,  living. 

Pew  No.  85,  Lower  Floor 

May  10,  1804.     Reserved  at  the  sale  of  pews  for  the  use  of  the  Society. 

Apr.  22,  1835.     Cost  $19.00.     Benjamin  Kent,  see  Deacons. 

Sept.  3,  1856.     James  Thacher  Hayward,  b.  Feb.  19,  1802;  d.  March  12, 

1886;   m.  Sarah  Appleton  Dawes.     Merchant.     Treasurer  of  Boston 

Sugar  Refinery.     Vice  Prest.  Eliot  Five  Cent  Savings  Bank.     Director 

of  Eliot  Ins.  Co.     Member  of  Standing  Committee. 
Apr.  7,  1883.    Dr.  John  Lydenham  Flint,  b. ,  1822;  d.  April  16, 

1887.     Unmarried.     H.  C.   1843.     Physician  of  Roxbury. 


302  THE   FIFTH   MEETING   HOUSE 

Pew  No.  86,  Lower  Floor 

May  10,  1804.     Reserved  at  the  sale  of  pews  for  the  use  of  the  Society. 
April  22,  1835.     Cost  $19.00.    Benjamin  Kent,  see  Deacons. 
May  3,  1866.    Mrs.  Samuel  D.  Bradford. 
Oct.  25,  1880.    Jane  Eliza  White,  w.  of  Henry  White. 

Pew  No.  87,  Lower  Floor 

May  10,  1804.     Reserved  at  the  sale  of  pews  for  the  use  of  the  Society. 

April  22,  1835.  Cost  $21.00.  Dr.  Peter  Gilman  Robbins,  b.  Dec.  10, 
1781;  d.  May  18,  1852;  m.  (1)  Abba  Dowse,  (2)  Mrs.  Polly  (Wil- 
liams) Hooper.  In  early  life  a  physician  in  Lynn,  afterwards  in  Rox- 
bury.     Parish  Clerk,  1821. 

July  2,  1842.  James  Phillips,  Jr.,  b.  March  25,  1808;  d.  Oct.  5,  1863; 
m.  Eliza  Cunningham.  Real  estate  broker.  Secretary  of  Board  of 
Overseers  of  the  Poor  of  the  City  of  Boston. 

April  15,  1854.  Thomas  Thacher,  Jr.,  b.  Jan.  18,  1824;  d.  Dec.  11, 
1869;  m.  Marietta  B.  H.  Crooker.  President  Fulton  Iron  Foundry 
Co.    Notary  Public. 

March  28,  1871.     Stephen  INIinot  Weld,  living. 

March  11,  1878.  Horace  Willlvms  Fuller,  b.  in  1844;  d.  Oct.  26,  1901; 
m.  Emily  Gorham  Carter.     Lawyer  and  editor. 

Jan.  26, 1880.  Samuel  Seaverns  Gay,  b.  Feb.  20, 1819;  d.  Dec.  24,  1894 ; 
m.  Tryphenia  M.  Gleason.     Stationer. 

Jan.  19,  1883.    Edward  Belcher  Reynolds,  see  Deacons. 

Pew  No.  88,  Lower  Floor 

May  10,  1804.     Reserved  at  the  sale  of  pews  for  the  use  of  the  Society. 
April  22,  1835.     Cost  $21.00.    Dr.  Peter  Gilman  Robbins,  see  Pew  No. 

87,  Lower  Floor. 
April  18,  1837.     Sarah  Cummens,  dau.  of  William  Cummens. 
March  12,  1862.     Paul  Willard,  b.  Sept.  26,  1824;   d.  Aug.  15,  1868; 

m.  (1)  Maria  Louisa  McCIeary,  (2)  Mi-s.  Mary  Ehzabeth  Read  Weld. 

H.  C.  1845.     Solicitor  of  Roxbury.     Clerk  of  the  Conunon  Council  of 

Charlestown.  Member  of  the  Council.  Representative. 
May  29,  1877.  Mary  E.  R.  Willard,  w.  of  Paul  Willard. 
Dec.  16,  1889.    Helen  Wendell,  w.  of  Frank  Wendell. 

Pew  No.  89,  Lower  Floor 

May  10,  1804.     Cost  $140.00.    Abigail  Gay,  w.  of  Joel  Gay. 
Jan.  28,  1820.     John  Lemist,  see  Pew  No.  29,  Lower  Floor. 
Dec.  31,  1839.    Miss  Abigail  K.  Oliver. 


PEW   OWNERS  303 


June  24,  1843.  Jonathan  Amort  Davis,  b.  Jan.  16,  1800;  d.  May  5, 
1865 ;  m.  (1)  Emily  Parker,  (2)  Frances  Elizabeth  Amory.  President 
Suffolk  National  Bank.     Treasurer  Lancaster  Mills. 

May  5,  1845.  William  Dehon,  b.  Feb.  2,  1814;  d.  May  22,  1875;  m. 
Caroline  Maria  Inches.     Counsellor-at-law. 

Feb.  9,  1846.  Nathaniel  Francis,  Jr.,  of  Roxbury,  b.  1819;  d.  Aug.  4, 
1848.     Bookkeeper. 

Sept.  15,  1849.  Nathaniel  Francis,  of  Boston,  b.  1789;  d.  Sept.  13, 
1870;  m.  (1) ,  (2)  Elizabeth  Lydia  Coolidge.     Iron  merchant. 

May  10,  1853.  Hon.  John  Howe,  of  Brookline,  b.  March  17,  1792;  d. 
April  1,  1867;  m.  Hannah  Williams  Heath.  Lumber  merchant.  A 
Director  of  the  Rutland  &  Burlington  R.  R.  Co.  President  of  the 
Boston  &  Maine  R.  R.  Co.  President  of  the  Eastern  R.  R.  Co.  Rep- 
resentative. Soldier  of  the  War  of  1812,  for  which  service  he  received 
a  warrant  for  160  acres  of  land  from  the  Government.  At  the  open- 
ing of  the  Civil  War  in  1861,  he  presided  over  the  first  war  meeting  in 
Brookline  and  gave  this  land  warrant  to  the  Committee  to  be  bestowed 
upon  the  family  of  the  first  victim  of  the  war. 

June  5,  1865.  George  Woods  Rice,  b.  July  14,  1828;  d.  Nov.  14,  1882; 
m.  Adelaide  Walker.  Commission  merchant.  President  of  Mass. 
Loan  &  Trust  Co. 

May  20,  1887.  Charles  Stuart  Halladat,  b.  March  23,  1837;  d.  June 
13,  1907;  m.  Sarah  Adams.  Civil  War  Veteran.  A.  A.  Paymaster 
United  States  Navy. 

Pew  No.  90,  Lower  Floor 

May  10,  1804.     Cost  $190.00.    Isaac  Curtis,  b.  Dec.  2,  1767;  d.  May  11, 

1822;  m.  (1)  Sally  Heath,  (2)  Margaret  Bell.     Farmer. 
Oct.  4,  1837.    Ebenezer  Pratt,  b.  June  17,  1802;  d.  May  28,  1857;  m. 

Nancy  Moore.     Painter. 
June  17,  1844.     Joseph  White,  b.  April  15,  1791;  d.  Oct.  15,  1867;  m. 

Anna  Maria  Halsey.     Merchant  in  New  York  and  Java,  afterwards 

Cashier  of  the  Atlas  Bank. 
March  5,  1845.     James  Russell,  see  Pew.  No.  35,  Lower  Floor. 
April  22,  1846.     Charles  H.  Blanchard,  of  Boston,  b. ;  d.  about 

1848;  m.  Mary  E.  Stevenson.     West  India  Goods  &  Groceries. 
Oct.  7,  1848.     Stephen  W.  Marsh,  of  Boston,  Pianoforte  manufacturer. 
Jan.  8,  1852.     Charles  Mayo  Ellis,  see  Pew  No.  18,  Lower  Floor. 
July  21,  1855.     Leonard  C.  Bovtles,  see  Pew  No.  78,  Lower  Floor. 
Dec.  3, 1855.    Martin  Lincoln  Bowles,  b.  Nov.  1, 1832;  d.  Feb.  15, 1904; 

m.  Fanny  M.  Darracott.     Merchandise  broker. 


304  THE   FIFTH   MEETING   HOUSE 

March  29,  1858.    Henet  Hughes  Warden,  b.  Nov.  — ,  1817;  d.  Jan.  2, 

1897;  m.  Elizabeth  Beal.     Merchant. 
May  15,  1861.     Joseph  Williams  Balch,  b.  Aug.  3, 1819;  d.  Jan.  11, 1891 ; 

m.  (1)  Maria  Hallet,  (2)  Agnes  Love  Greene.     President  of  Boylstoa 

Fire  Ins.  Co. 
Feb.  9,  1878.     Charles  C.  Harvey,  Uving. 

Pew  No.  91,  Lower  Floor 

May  10, 1804.  Cost  $214.00.  Deacon  Samuel  Sumner.  One  half  pew,  see 

Deacons. 
May  10,  1804.    Lucy  Bowman.     One  half  pew.    w.  of  William  Bowman 

and  sister  of  Governor  Increase  Sumner. 
April  28,  1806.     Peleg  Heath,  Jr.,  b.  May  14,  1771;  d.  Oct.  21,  1812;  m. 

Peggy  Davenport.     Farmer. 
Dec.  12,  1859.     Joseph  P.  Shaw,  b. ;  d.  Dec.  31,  1866;  m.  Sarah 

Heath.     Merchant. 
Nov.  1,  1872.     Ebenezer  Francis  Parker,  see  Pew  No.  34,  Lower  Floor. 

Pew  No.  92,  Lower  Floor 

May  10,  1804.  Cost  $214.00.  Jonathan  Hill,  m.  Snky  Bosson. 
Cabinet  maker. 

Dec.  29,  1824.     Aaron  Kingsbury,  b. ,  1776;  d.  April  12,  1839;  m. 

Mary  Lethbridge.     Farmer  and  victualer. 

May  3,  1825.     John  Lemist,  see  Pew  No.  29,  Lower  Floor. 

Oct.  8,  1835.  Dr.  William  Pitt  Greenwood,  b.  May  10,  1766;  d.  May 
10,  1851;  m.  Mary  Langdon.     Dentist. 

May  19,  1841.  Samuel  Edmund  Sewall,  b.  Nov.  9,  1799;  d.  Dec.  20, 
1888;  m.  (1)  Louisa  M.  Winslow,  (2)  Harriet  (Winslow)  List.  Law- 
yer.    H.  C.  1817.     LL.B.  1820.     Abolitionist.     Senator. 

June  25,  1847.  Lyman  Hollingsworth,  b.  July  17,  1816;  d.  April  — , 
1890;  m.  Mary  W.  Thayer.     Paper  manufacturer. 

Feb.  21,  1851.  Robert  Chamblet  Hooper,  b.  April  8,  1805;  d.  Nov.  26, 
1869;  m.  (1)  Maria  Hooper,  (2)  Adeline  Denny  Ripley.  Entered 
Harvard  College  in  1818.  Did  not  graduate.  Supercargo  and  Cap- 
tain of  ship.     Merchant. 

Dec.  2,  1851.    Caroline  Elizabeth  Perkins. 

Feb.  27,  1883.    William  Crosby,  see  Pew  No.  42,  in  Gallery. 

Pew  No.  93,  Lower  Floor 

May  10,  1804.  Cost  $198.00.  Lemuel  Peirce,  m.  Sarah .  Wheel- 
wright. 

Sept.  24,  1806.  Lxtther  Richardson,  b.  Aug.  25,  1774;  d.  Nov.  14,  1811; 
m.  Susannah  Craft.     H.  C.  1799.     Lawyer.     He  dehvered  an  oration 


PEW   OWNERS  305 


July  4,  1800,  at  the  request  of  the  inhabitants  of  the  Town  of  Roxbury 

in  commemoration  of  American  Independence. 
Jan.  1,  1807.     Ann  Pierpont,  dau.  of  Robert  Pierpont. 

Jan.  1,  1807.     Daniel  French,  b. ,  1776;  d.  Aug.  3,  1828.     Carpenter. 

Aug.  2,  1814.     James  Rlley,  b. ,  1790;  d.  Nov.  6,  1829.    Trader. 

A  founder  of  the  Universahst  Church. 
Oct.  16,  1816.     Jonathan  Dorr,  see  Pew  No.  84,  Lower  Floor. 
May  15,  1837.     Jonathan  BtrrFiNGTON,  b.  Sept.  1,  1786;  d.  July  15,  1859; 

m.  Mary  Aim  Churchill.     East  India   &  West  India  merchant.      Ship 

owner.     Pres.  of  Commonwealth  Bank  and  President  Commonwealth 

Fire  Ins.  Co. 
Dec.  1,  1887.    Lois  W.  Clarke,  dau.  of  Col.  Thomas  Clarke. 
Feb.  15,  1892.     Mrs.  Florence  Lemist  Cruet,  living. 

Pew  No.  94,  Lower  Floor 

May   10,   1804.     Cost  $210.00.     Joseph  Ruggles,   see  Fourth  Meeting 

House. 
May  8,  1823.    Nathaniel  Dorr,  see  Pew  No.  97,  Lower  Floor. 
Aug.  1,  1829.    Samuel  Billlngs,  b. ,  1757;  d.  April  11,  1842;  m, 

Hester  Gill.     Wholesale  grocer.     Director  in  State  Bank. 
May  20,  1830.    William  Bradley  Dorr,  b.  May  17,  1803;  d.  Sept.  9, 

1875;  m.  Mary  Hickling.     H.  C.  1821.     Lawyer. 
April  20,  1835.     Jonathan  Dorr,  see  Pew  No.  84,  Lower  Floor. 
Jan.  3,  1842.     Charles  Davis,  Jr.,  b.  July  12,  1807;  d.  March  9,  1888;  m. 

Mary  Vila  Ball.     Owned  and  managed  his  large  estate.     Refused  all 

public  offices. 
June  10,  1844.     James  Russell,  see  Pew  No.  35,  Lower  Floor. 
Feb.  13,  1845.    William  Channing  Appleton,  b.  Oct.  25,  1812;  d.  Aug. 

8,  1892;  m.  Mary  Ann  Louisa  Smith.     Lawyer.     Treas.  of  Roxbury 

Gas  Light  Co.     President  of  Ehot  Five  Cent  Savings  Bank. 
Nov.  2,  1887.     James  Webster  Newell,  Uving. 

Pew  No.  95,  Lower  Floor 

May  10, 1804.  Cost  $222.00.  Phinehas  Withington,  see  Fourth  Meeting 
House. 

June  18,  1811.  Ebenezer  Withington,  b.  Sept.  23,  1753;  d.  Oct.  1,  1832; 
m.  (1)  Betsey  Baker,  (2)  Mary  Preston.  Wheelwright.  Soldier  of  the 
Revolution.  Coroner  of  Norfolk  County.  Deacon  of  Rev.  Dr.  Cod- 
man's  Church  in  Dorchester. 

May  11,  1812.     Stephen  Childs,  see  Pew  No.  16,  Lower  Floor. 

May  11,  1812.     Jonathan  Williams,  see  Pew  No.  16,  Lower  Floor. 

March  30,  1822.    Stephen  Childs,  ^A. 


306  THE   FIFTH   MEETING   HOUSE 

Nov.  12,  1851.     Robert  Chamblet  Hooper,  see  Pew  No.  92,  Lower  Floor. 
May  24,  1860.     Edward  Everett  Rice,  b.  July  10,  1814;  d.  April  8,  1888; 

m.  (1)  Priscilla  D.  Woodridge,  (2)  Elizabeth  H.  Bartlett.     Merchant. 

Director  in  Atlantic  Bank. 
Dec.  6,  1888.    Edward  D.  Rice,  living. 

Pew  No.  96,  Lower  Floor 

May  10,  1804.  Cost  $237.00.  Ebenezer  Brewer.  Two  thirds  of  pew, 
see  Fourth  Meeting  House. 

May  10,  1804.  William  Brewer.  One  tliird  of  pew.  b.  Feb.  24,  1758; 
d.  July  30,  1817;  m.  (1)  Rebecca  Brewer,  (2)  Mary  Brewer, 
Representative. 

May  23,  1825.     Elizabeth  Brewer,  w.  of  Ebenezer  Brewer. 

Sept.  4,  1862.  John  Felt  Osgood,  b.  Dec.  18,  1825;  d.  July  31,  1894;  m. 
Elizabeth  Lawrence  Burling.  At  the  age  of  15  he  was  a  clerk  in  the 
Exchange  Bank  of  Salem.  At  the  age  of  17  he  was  employed  by  a 
Salem  merchant  and  spent  6  years  as  agent  at  various  ports  in  Arabia. 
In  April,  1850,  he  went  to  California  and  settled  in  San  Francisco  as  a 
commission  merchant.  He  came  to  Boston  in  1859  and  Uved  in 
Roxbm-y  until  1892.  His  study  of  mechanics  and  chemistry  soon  led 
to  his  giving  up  business.  Alderman.  Secretary  of  the  Fellowes 
Athenseum.  Treasurer  of  the  Roxbury  Latin  School.  President  of 
the  Roxbiu"y  Charitable  Society.     Member  of  the  Standing  Committee. 

April  24,  1894.  Alfred  Monson  Bullard,  livuig.  Treasurer  of  the 
Society. 

Pew  No.  97,  Lower  Floor 

May  10,  1804.     Cost  $262.00.     Willl\m  Lambert,  b.  Dec.  22,  1743;  d. 

June  17, 1823;  m.  (1)  Mrs.  King,  (2)  Susannah  Cunningham.     A  grocer 

in  Boston  and  Halifax,  N.  S.,  afterwards  a  merchant  and  ship  owner. 

Member  of  the  Humane  Society  in  Boston.     One  of  the  founders  of 

the  Roxbiu-y  Charitable  Society. 
March  26,  1820.    Nathaniel  Dorr,  b.  March  22,  1779;  d.  Nov.  8,  1850; 

m.  (1)  Susan  Lambert,  (2)  Emily  Penelope  Bradley.     Kept  a  market. 

Treasurer  of  the  Society. 
March  26,  1820.    William  Blanchard,  b. ,  1775;  d.  April  18,  1844; 

m.  (1)  Mary  Elhot,  (2)  Harriet  Lambert.     Sea  captain  and  merchant. 
Jan.  1,  1830.     Susannah  Lambert,  w.  of  William  Lambert. 
March  19,  1841.     Warren  Fisher,  b.  May  30,  1794;  d.  March  9,  1875; 

m.  (1)  Lucretia  Bucknam,  (2)  Nancy  Stimpson  Simmons.     Merchant. 

Owned  large  tracts  of  land  in  Roxbury. 
Jan.  15,  1880.    William  Blanchard,  see  Pew  No.  46,  in  Gallery. 


PEW   OWNERS  307 


Pew  No.  98,  Lower  Floor 

May  10,  1804.  Cost  $302.00.  Benjamin  Duick,  m.  (1)  Esther  Weld,  (2) 
Hannah  Gay,  (3)  Mary .  Tavern  keeijer.  Removed  to  Pom- 
fret,  Conn. 

May  13,  180o.  Asa  Whitney,  b.  May  18,  1782;  d.  March  4,  1826;  m. 
INIary  Hammond.     Merchant.     Parish  Treasurer. 

April  20,  1818.     John  Chajvipney,  see  Square  Pew  No.  14,  in  Gallery. 

Jan.  25,  1867.     Charles  Davis,  living. 

Nov.  29,  1871.    Hen-ry  Porter  Stanwood,  li\'ing. 

Oct.  6,  1883.    Mrs.  Eliza  D.  Howard. 


Pew  No.  99,  Lower  Floor 

May  10,  1804.     Cost  $317.00.    Lieut.  Elisha  Whitney,  b.  Oct.  6,  1747; 

d.  May  18,  1815;  m.  Abigail  Dana.     Farmer. 
May  12,  1817.    Isaac  Davis,  see  Pew  No.  8,  Lower  Floor. 
May  28,  1855.     John  Langedorff  D'Wolf,  b.  May  24,  1817;  d.  Dec.  31, 

1886;  m.  Mary  White  Da\Ts.     Sugar  commission  merchant. 


Pew  No.  100,  Lower  Floor 

May  10,  1804.     Cost  $322.00.     Edward  Stoiner,  b.  June  14,  1746;    d. 
Oct.  28,  1829;  m.  (1)  Rebecca  Payson,  (2)  Joanna  Sumner.     Farmer. 
Apr.  30,  1823.     Elijah  Lewis,  see  Pew  No.  64,  Lower  Floor. 
June  9,  1831.     Jo.^jstna  Sumner,  w.  of  Edward  Smnner. 

April  23,  1835.    Edward  Sumner,  b.  Aug.  3,  1810,  d. ,  1849. 

Sept.  16,  1837.    Abigail  Mather  Sumner,  dau.  of  Edward  Sumner. 
July  3,  1849.     Theodore  Otis,  see  Pew  No.  59,  in  Gallery. 

Pew  No.  101,  Lower  Floor 

May  10,  1804.  Cost  $307.00.  John  Lowell,  b.  Oct.  6,  1769;  d.  March 
12,  1840;  m.  Rebecca  Amory.  H.  C.  1786.  Admitted  to  the  Bar 
before  he  was  20  years  of  age.  In  1803  he  visited  Europe.  A  noted 
writer  during  the  War  of  1812.  A  leading  member  of  the  Corporation 
of  Harvard  College.  Received  the  degree  of  L.L.D.  from  Harvard  in 
1814.  Prominent  promoter  of  the  Mass.  General  Hospital  and  of  the 
Pro\adent  Inst,  for  Savings.  President  of  Board  of  Trustees  of  Mass. 
Agricultural  Society.  Trustee  of  the  Roxbury  Latin  School.  A  sup- 
porter of  the  Boston  Athenaeum.  First  in  the  country  to  estabUsh  a 
greenhouse  on  an  ample  scale  and  on  scientific  principles. 


308  THE   FIFTH    MEETING  HOUSE 

Sept.  26,  1842.  John  Amort  Lowell,  b.  Nov.  11,  1798;  d.  Oct.  31,  1881; 
m.  (1)  Susan  Cabot  Lowell,  (2)  Elizabeth  Cabot  Putnam.  H.  C. 
1815.  Merchant.  Member  of  Convention  for  revising  State  Consti- 
tution. Fellow  of  Harvard  College.  Trustee  of  the  Lowell  Institute. 
Director  of  Suffolk  Bank. 

May  29,  1886.  Joshua  Lovett,  b.  Sept.  28,  1840;  d.  Jan.  25,  1904. 
Real  Estate. 

Pew  No.  102,  Lower  Floor 

May  10,  1804.  Cost  $302.00.  Charles  Davis,  b.  March  29,  1772;  d. 
Feb.  8,  1842;  m.  Harriet  Fellowes.  He  and  his  brother  Aaron  were 
manufacturers  and  exporters.  They  helped  to  build  the  Roxbury 
Canal.  Trustee  of  the  Roxbury  Latin  School.  Parish  Clerk.  Mem- 
ber Parish  Committee. 

May  17,  1843.     Harriet  Davis,  w.  of  Charles  Davis. 

Sept.  7,  1847.     Charles  Jefferson  Hendee,  see  Pew  No.  61,  in  Gallery. 

Jan.  6,  1858.  Joseph  Hewes  Hunneman,  b.  Nov.  21,  1812;  d.  Dec.  13, 
1887;  m.  Harriet  Bradley.  Dry  goods  business  in  New  York.  Fire 
engine  builder  in  Roxbury  with  his  brother  Samuel.  President  of 
Mass.  Charitable  Society.     Trustee  of  EUot  Five  Cent  Savings  Bank. 

Pew  No.  103,  Lower  Floor 

May  10,  1804.     Cost  $302.00.     Joseph  Davis,  see  Fourth  Meeting  House. 
Nov.  18,  1814.    Polly  (Williams)  Hooper,  afterwards  w.  of  Dr.  Peter 

Gilman  Robbins. 
Jan.  6,  1864.     Mrs.  Sally  Patten  Eastman,  adopted  daughter  of  Mrs. 

Polly  Robbins. 
Nov.  10,  1868.     Caroline  Whiting,  niece  of  Mrs.  Polly  Robbins. 

Pew  No.  104,  Lower  Floor 

May  10,  1804.  Cost  $382.00.  Joseph  Dudley,  see  Fourth  Meeting 
House. 

Dec.  30,  1822.  John  Crease  Estabrooks,  b.  Nov.  30,  1793;  d.  Dec.  4, 
1830;    unm.     Blacksmith. 

Nov.  24,  1831.  Capt.  Stephen  Williams,  b.  June  26,  1781;  d.  May  23, 
1844;  m.  Louisa  Palmer.  Shipmaster.  Opened  American  trade 
with  Siam.  Sailing  Master  of  Frigate  "  President."  Commanded  ship- 
"Blakeley"  in  War  of  1812.  Organized  Roxbury  Fire  Department. 
Member  of  the  Legislature. 


PEW   OWNERS  309 


June  24,  1843.  Chaeles  Frederick  Bradford,  b.  March  8,  1806;  d. 
Aug.  31,  1887;  m.  Eliza  Edes  Hickling.  Merchant  in  China  and 
South  America.  He  compiled,  in  Spanish,  notes  on  Don  Quixote  for 
which  he  received  a  medal  from  the  Royal  Academy  of  Madrid  and 
the  order  of  Isabella  Catholica  from  the  King  of  Spain.  Trustee 
of  the  Roxbury  Latin  School. 

June  16,  1859.     George  Packer,  see  Pew  No.  44,  in  Gallery. 

March  9,  1869.  William  Turell  Andrews,  see  Long  Pew  No.  6,  in 
Gallery. 

Pew  No.  105,  Lower  Floor 

May  10,  1804.  Cost  $278.00.  Stedman  Willlajus,  see  Fourth  Meeting 
House.     Held  by  the  family  for  many  years. 

Pew  No.  106,  Lower  Floor 

May  10,  1804.     Cost  $270.00.     John  Clap,  see  Deacons. 

July  6,  1841.  Moses  Gragg,  b.  Sept.  20,  1791;  d.  Apr.  30,  1885;  m. 
Rebecca  Newell  Alden.  Hotel  keeper.  Representative.  Commis- 
sioner of  streets  in  Roxbury.  Soldier  of  the  War  of  1812.  Member 
Mass.  MiUtia. 

April  4,  1865.    Harriet  Louisa  Thayer,  w.  of  Charles  Lowell  Thayer, 

Pew  No.  107,  Lower  Floor 

May  10,  1804.     Cost  $236.00.    Hon.  John  Read,  b. ,  1727;  d.  Jan. 

13,  1813.  Tanner.  Many  years  agent  for  Gov.  Bowdoin's  Elizabeth 
Island  estate  and  named  Bowdoinham,  Maine,  in  honor  of  his  patron. 
Readfield,  Me.,  was  named  for  him.  Once  owned  the  Shirley  Man- 
sion.    Selectman,  Representative  and  Member  of  Governor's  Council. 

May  23,  1825.     John  Lemist,  see  Pew  No.  29,  Lower  Floor. 

Apr.  5,  1839.     Jonathan  Dorr,  see  Pew  No.  84,  Lower  Floor. 

Jan.  23,  1844.  Charles  Ellis,  b.  Feb.  27,  1794;  d.  Jan.  9,  1860;  m. 
Maria  Mayo.     Merchant.     President  Howard  Bank. 

March  3,  1845.  Joseph  Dorr,  b.  Dec.  1,  1817;  d.  Feb.  1,  1888;  m. 
Carohne  Aurelia  (Humphrey)  Riley.  Merchant  in  Rio  Janeiro, 
Brazil,  Louisville,  Ky.,  and  Boston,  afterwards  interested  in  real  estate. 

May  29,  1845.     Caroline  Langdon  Eustis,  w.  of  Gov.  William  Eustis. 

Jan.  4,  1866.  Charles  Latham  Hayward,  b.  March  22,  1812;  d.  Aug. 
28,  1890;  m.  Emmeline  Greenwood.  Stockbroker.  Treasurer  of  the 
First  Church  in  Boston.     Director  of  Ehot  National  Bank. 

Sept.  4,  1866.    Emmeline  Hayward,  w.  of  Charles  Latham  Hayward. 

June  29,  1888.    Alonzo  N.  BtrRBANK,  see  Pew  No.  108,  Lower  Floor. 


310  THE   FIFTH    MEETING   HOUSE 

Pew  No.  108,  Lower  Floor 

May   10,    1804.     Cost   $240.00.      Saaiuel  Howard,    m.    Sarah . 

Cordwainer.                                     , 
May  10,  1804.    Andrew  Newman,  b. ,  1779;   d.  March  11,  1812; 

m.  Susan  Hayward.     Blacksmith. 
Jan.  4,  1866.    Franklin  Curtis,  b.  Nov.  10,  1817;  d.  July  4,  1897;  m. 

(1)  Emily  Dore,  (2)  Sarah  B.  Lewis.     Merchant  and  shipowner. 
Oct.  15,  1878.    Alonzo  N.  Burbank,  livuig. 
This  Pew  removed  in  1888  to  give  more  space  for  the  new  Pulpit. 


GALLERY   PEWS. 
Sqvnre  Pew  No.  1 

May  10,  1804.     Cost  $130.00.    Dwight  Williams,  b.  1779;   d.  Aug.  10, 

1812.     Unm. 
,  1812.    Thomas  Williams,  b.  Oct.  12,  1786;  d.  Sept.  10,  1815;  m. 

Abigail   Williams. _    Physician.     One   of   the   projectors   of   Roxbury 

canal. 
May  17,  1824.    Daniel  Saunderson,  see  Pew  No.  81,  Lower  Floor. 
March  10,  1830.    Thomas  Simmons,  see  Pew  No.  17,  Lower  Floor. 

Square  Pew  No.  2 
May  10,  1804.     Cost  $130.00.    Bartholomew  White,  see  Pew  No.  13, 

Lower  Floor. 
Jan.  27,  1818.    Thomas  Mayo,  see  Pew  No.  13,  Lower  Floor. 
May  30, 1823.    David  Allen  Simmons,  see  Pew  No.  33,  Lower  Floor. 


Square  Pew  No.  3 

May  10, 1804.     Cost  $143.00.     Joseph  Gore,  see  Fourth  Meeting  House. 

Jime  12,  1805.     Amos  Smith,  see  Pew  No.  40,  Lower  Floor. 

Apr.  10,  1826.     James  Jones,  b.  1795;  d.  Dec.  3,  1826. 

May  20, 1831.  James  Howe  Champney,  b.  Dec.  4, 1807;  d.  Aug.  29, 1889; 
m.  Sarah  EUzabeth  Wells.  Dry  goods  merchant.  Afterwards  book- 
keeper in  the  Washington  Bank  for  over  50  years. 

April  19,  1832.  Charles  Hickling,  b.  Dec.  20,  1799;  d.  June  9,  1888; 
m.  EUza  Brown  Edes.  Educated  at  Boston  Latin  School.  Member 
of  publishing  firm  of  Hickling,  Swan  &  Brewer  in  the  Old  Corner 
Book  store. 

Sept.  15, 1834.    WnjJAM  Bradley  Dorr,  see  Pew  No.  94,  Lower  Floor. 


19 

J 

\     r 

V 

38 

18 

1 

20 

37 

17 

2 

2  1 

36 

16 

3 

22 

35 

15 

4 

23 

34 

14 

5 

24 

33 

J3 

6 

25 

32 

12 

7 

26 

31 

1  1 

8 

27 

30 

10 

9 

28 

29 

\\ 

7 

PLAN    OF    THE    GALLERIES    OF    THE    PRESENT 
MEETING    HOUSE,    1804. 


PEW  OWNERS  311 


Square  Pew  No.  4 
May  10, 1804.     Cost  $141.00.     Jaaies  Lewis,  see  Fourth  Meeting  House. 

Square  Pew  No.  5 

May  10,  1804.     Cost  $141.00.    Peleg  Heath,  Jr.;  reverted  to  Parish. 
Dec.  21,  1806.    Antipas  Jackson,  b.  Nov.  20,  1772;  d.  July  28,  1846;  m. 

Hannah  Richards.     Housewright.     She  was  an  original  member  of 

the  Dudley  St.  Baptist  Church. 
May  6, 1826.  Samtjel  Jackson,  b.  Jan.  15, 1803;  d.  Nov.  7, 1873;  m.  Mary 

Doggett.      Patent    leather    manufacturer.      Alderman    of    Roxbury. 

Selectman  and  Assessor  of  West  Roxbury. 
March  14,  1828.    Samuel  Guild,  see  Pew  No.  79,  Lower  Floor. 

Square  Pew  No.  6 

May  10,  1804.     Cost  $136.00.     Joseph  James,  see  Fourth  Meeting  House. 
Oct.  3,  1805.    Samuel  Langley,  see  Pew  No.  17,  Lower  Floor. 

Square  Pew  No.  7 

May  10, 1804.     Cost  $146.00.     Reuben  Parker,  m.  Judith  Smith.     Miller. 

Apr.  19,  1805.     Ralph  Smith,  see  Pew  No.  24,  Lower  Floor. 

Aug.  25, 1819.     Jonathan  Dorr,  see  Pew  No.  84,  Lower  Floor. 

May  10, 1830.  Joshua  Bently  Fowle,  b.  June  17, 1797 ;  d.  Aug.  17, 1885 ; 
m.  Elizabeth  Austin.     Merchant  and  baker  of  ship  bread.     Alderman. 

March  25,  1833.    Henry  Moore. 

April  24,  1834.  Jonathan  Pratt  Robinson,  b.  March  2,  1799;  d.  April 
18,  1863;  m.  (1)  Catherine  Lewis,  (2)  Mary  A.  G.  Goddard.  Com- 
mission Merchant.  Alderman.  Deputy  Collector  of  Boston.  Presi- 
dent of  the  Mt.  Vernon  Bank. 

Square  Pew  No.  8 

May  10,  1804.  Cost  $141.00.  Charles  Durant,  b.  July  16,  1777;  d, 
Oct.  23,  1832;  m.  Nabby  Langdon  Williams.     Representative. 

April  17,  1805.    Ralph  Smith,  see  Pew  No.  24,  Lower  Floor. 

Before  1834.     Joseph  Harbington,  see  Pew  No.  24,  Lower  Floor. 

June  25,  1834.  Ephraim  Harrington,  b.  Sept.  24, 1786;  d.  July  24,  1854; 
m.  Maria  Williams  Simmons.  Artillery  Co.  1815.  Member  of  the 
Mass.  MiHtia,  of  St.  John's  Lodge  F.  &  A.  M.,  of  the  Legislature,  of 
the  Standing  Committee  of  this  church. 


312  THE   FIFTH   MEETING   HOUSE 

Square  Pew  No.  9 

May  10,  1804.  Cost  $132.00.  Edward  Titener,  see  Fourth  Meeting 
House. 

May  10, 1804.  Ebenezer  Goddard,  Jr.,  b.  1779,  d.  Dec.  15, 1838.  Truck- 
man.    A  founder  of  the  Universalist  Church. 

June  2,  1834.    Jonathan  A.  Richards,  see  Deacons. 

Square  Pew  No.  10 

May  10,  1804.     Cost  $92.00.     John  Curtis,  Jr.;  reverted  to  Parish. 
April  25,  1806.     Jesse  Doggeti%  see  Pew  No.  52,  Lower  Floor. 
Aug.  26,  1807.    Edward  Payson  Williams. 

Feb.  6,  1811.    j-Ebenezer  Brewer,  see  Pew  No.  96,  Lower  Floor. 
Feb.  6,  1811.    \Chenert  Clark,  see  Pew  No.  14,  Lower  Floor. 
1825.    William  Brewer,  hving  in  Clinton,  Ga.,  Aug.  28,  1834. 

Square  Pew  No.  11 

May  10, 1804.     Cost  $92.00.    John  Sawin,  living  in  1813,  m.  Abigail . 

Housewright. 

Square  Pew  No.  12 

May  10, 1804.    Cost  $97.00.    Samuel  Warren,  b.  Oct.  16, 1742;  d.  Nov.  1, 

1805.     Unmarried.     Farmer. 
June  16,  1808.     Samuel  Maxfield,  b.  1767;  d.  Sept.  19,  1855;  m.  Mary 

Bradlee.    Trader. 
Sept.  2,  1817.    Nathaniel  Shepherd  Prentiss,  see  Pew  No.  67,  Lower 

Floor. 
May  30,  1821.     John  Champney,  see  square  Pew  No.  14,  in  Gallery. 
June  2,  1834.     Shubael  Bills,  b.  Jan.  3,  1791;   d.  May  31,  1850;   m. 

Harriet  Colburn.     Contractor,  pile  driver  and  mover  of  buildings. 

Square  Pew  No.  13 

May  10,  1804.     Cost  $70.00.     Forfeited.     Reverted  to  Parish. 

April   21,  1806.     Cost   $84.00.     Stedman   Williams,  see  Pew   No.   105, 

Lower  Floor. 
Dec.  21, 1806.     Samuel  Wait,  see  Pew  No.  38,  Lower  Floor. 

Square  Pew  No.  14 

May  10,  1804.  Cost  $125.00.  John  Champney,  b.  Feb.  22,  1779;  d. 
March  21,  1847;  m.  Lydia  Howe.  Weigher  and  gauger  in  the  Boston 
Custom  House.    Representative. 


PEW   OWNERS  313 


Jan.  16,  1805.    Nathaniel  Richardson,  see  Pew  No.  69,  Lower  Floor. 

1810.    Ebenezer  Goddard,  see  Square  Pew  No.  21,  in  Gallery. 

June  2,  1834.     Joseph  Harrington,  see  Pew  No.  24,  Lower  Floor. 

Square  Pew  No.  15 

May  10,  1804.    Cost  $105.00.    Isaac  Shaw,  see  Foiuih  Meeting  House. 

May  10,  1804.    Aaron  Rumrill,  see  Fourth  Meeting  House. 

May  10,   1804.    Richard  Galloop,  d.  March,   1842;    m.  Mary  Pain. 

Hairdresser. 
Jan.  26,  1813.    Chenert  Clark,  see  Pew  No.  14,  Lower  Floor, 

Square  Pew  No.  16 

May  10,  1804.     Cost  $111.00.     George  Simmons,  b.  1767,  d.  Oct.  9,  1810; 

m.  Marcy  Wales. 
May  14,  1825.    Major  Ebenezer  Crafts,  see  Deacons. 

Square  Pew  No.  17 

May  10,  1804.     Cost  $113.00.    Amos  Morse,  b.  Nov.  30,  1772;  d.  Nov.  24, 

1823 ;  m.  Irene  Morse.     Soap  boiler.     He  and  his  brothers,  Lewis  and 

Harford,  first  estabUshed  a  conveyance  for  passengers  from  Roxbury  to 

Boston.     They  also  estabhshed  the  Hourlies. 
May  10,  1804.    Lewis  Morse,  b.  July  8,  1778;  d.  Aug.  2,  1830;  m.  (1) 

Olive  Richards,   (2)  Mary  Jewell.     Soap  boiler.     A  founder  of  the 

Universalist  Church. 
Sept.  5,  1815.    Harford  Morse,  b.  Jan.  9,  1788;  d.  Oct.  28,  1830;  m. 

Lucy  Gay.    Soap  boiler.    A  founder  of  the  Universalist  Church. 
July  26,  1819.    Amos  Morse,  same  as  above. 
April  10,  1821.    Amos  Morse,  Jr.,  b.  Aug.  9,  1799;  d.  April  10,  1851;  m. 

Abigail  B.  Davenport.    Soap  boiler. 

Square  Pew  No.  18 

May  10,  1804.  Cost  $111.00.  John  Doggett,  b.  Sept.  15,  1780;  d.  June 
17,  1857;  m.  (1)  Sophia  Miller,  (2)  Mrs.  Mary  Jones,  (3)  Mrs.  Ann 
Eliza  (Cushing)  Webster.  Carver  in  wood,  horn  and  shell.  The  first 
gilder  and  carver  in  Roxbiu-y.  Founded  the  Carpet  Works  in  Roxbury 
Street. 

Square  Pew  No.  19 

May  10,  1804.     Cost  $153.00.     Joseph  Heath,  see  Fourth  Meeting  House. 
Dec.  15,  1814.    William  Heath,  Jr.,  see  Square  Pew  No.  25,  in  Gallery. 


314  THE    FIFTH    MEETING   HOUSE 

Square  Pew  No.  20 
May  10, 1804.     Cost  $150.00.     Simeon  Pratt,  see  Pew  No.  58,  Lower  Floor. 

Square  Pew  No.  21 

May  10,  1804.     Cost  $153.00.     Stephen  Williams  3^,  reverted  to  Parish. 
April  21,  1806.     Ebenezer  Goddard,  b.  1752;  d.  April  8,  1827;  m.  Vashti 

Colson.     Truckman. 
July  13,  1812.    Timothy  Gay. 
July  22,  1830.    Thomas  Brewer,  see  Pew  No.  3,  Lower  Floor. 

Square  Pew  No.  22 

May  10,  1804.     Cost  $151.00.     John  Parker,  see  Pew  No.  28,  Lower 

Floor. 
Oct.  4,  1813.     Joseph  Williams,  see  Pew  No.  26,  Lower  Floor. 
Oct.  4,  1813.    Amos  Adams  Willluis,  b.  May  4,  1776;  d.  Feb.  2,  1861 ;  m. 

Nancy  Williams.     Merchant  in  Baltimore. 
April  11,  1834.    Susan  Dorr,  w.  of  Nathaniel  Dorr. 

Square  Pew  No.  23 

May  10,  1804.     Cost  $141.00.     Willluh  McCarty,  see  Fourth  Meeting 

House. 
Aug.  16,  1806.     John  Shirley  Williams,  see  Pew  No.  5,  Lower  Floor. 
March  21,  1816.     Charles  Davis,  see  Pew  No.  102,  Lower  Floor. 

Sqvnre  Pew  No.  24 

May  10,  1804.     Cost  $142.00.    Aaron  Pomeroy,  see  Pew  No.  10,  Lower 

Floor. 
April  9,  1817.     Daniel  Saunderson,  see  Pew  No.  81,  Lower  Floor. 
March  10,  1830.     Charles  Grant,  b.  April  13,  1789;  d.  June  4,  1859;  m. 

Sarah  Richards.     In  the  paper  trade. 

Sqtiare  Pew  No.  25 

May  10,  1804.     Cost  $135.00.    William  Heath,  Jr.,  see  Fourth  Meeting 
House. 

Square  Pew  No.  26 

May  10,  1804.    Cost  $141.00.     John  Lewis,  b.  Nov.  26,  1763;  d.  Feb.  15, 

1844;  m.  Polly  Pillsbury.     Farmer. 
April  29,  1822.    William  Hazlet,  see  Pew  No.  65,  Lower  Floor. 


PEW   OWNERS  315 


Square  Pew  No.  27 

May  10,  1804.     Cost  $150.00.     Jesse  Stetson,  see  Fourth  Meeting  House. 
March  29,  1812.     Williajm  Pratt,  see  Pew  No.  62,  Lower  Floor. 
May  24,  1819.     James  Riley,  see  Pew  No.  93,  Lower  Floor. 
AprO  29,  1823.    Martha  Ruggles,  see  Pew  No.  18,  Lower  Floor. 

Square  Pew  No.  28. 

May  10,  1804.    Cost  $142.00.    Elias  Dunbar. 

Sept.  10,  1804.    William  Langlet,  b.  1782;  d.  Oct.  9,  1828;  m.  Alona 
.     Marketman. 


Square  Pew  No.  29 

May  10,  1804.     Cost  $100.00.    Thomas  Curtis,  reverted  to  Parish. 
April  21,  1806.     Stephen  Brigham,  b.  Sept.  21,  1779;  d.  March  9,  1820; 
m.  Lucy  White.     Merchant. 

.  Thomas  Williams,  see  Pew  No.  32,  Lower  Floor. 

April  23,  1824.     Daniel  Saunderson,  see  Pew  No.  81,  Lower  Floor. 
March  10,  1830.    Abijah  Merriam,  see  Pew  No.  79,  Lower  Floor. 

Square  Pew  No.  30 

May  10,  1804.  Cost  $102.00.  Caleb  Clap,  b.  May  9,  1764;  d.  May  19, 
1829;  m.  Nancy  Dorr.     Carpenter.     Removed  to  Vermont. 

.  Joseph  Ruggles,  see  Pew  No.  94,  Lower  Floor. 

Feb.  15,  1813.  Nathaniel  Ruggles,  b.  March  20,  1789;  d.  1832;  m. 
Rebecca  Hollingsworth  Hughes.  Merchant  and  shipowner.  Re- 
moved to  Henderson,  Kentucky. 

Aug.  28,  1815.    William  Lambert,  see  Pew  No.  97,  Lower  Floor. 

March  26,  1820.     Nathaniel  Dorr,  see  Pew  No.  97,  Lower  Floor. 

March  26,  1820.     Williaji  Blanchard,  see  Pew  No.  97,  Lower  Floor. 

Jan.  1,  1830.     Susannah  Lambert,  w.  of  WilUam  Lambert. 

Square  Pew  No.  31 

May  10,  1804.     Cost  $106.00.     Joseph  Curtis,  see  Pew  No.  21,  Lower 

Floor. 
May  10,  1804.     Samuel  Ward,  see  Pew  No.  21,  Lower  Floor. 
May  8,  1806.     William  Langlet,  see  Square  Pew  No.  28,  in  Gallery. 
April  22,  1818.     Samuel  Langlet,  see  Pew  No.  17,  Lower  Floor. 
April  16,  1823.    Elijah  Lewis,  see  Pew  No.  64,  Lower  Floor. 


316  THE   FIFTH    MEETING   HOUSE 

July  16,  1833.  John  Jones  Clarke,  b.  Feb.  24,  1803;  d.  Nov.  5,  1887;  m. 
Rebecca  Cordiss  Haswell.  Educated  at  Norton,  Framingham  and 
Andover  Academies.  H.  C.  1823  (Rebellion  Class).  Received  his 
degrees  of  A.B.  and  E.M.  in  1841.  Mayor  of  Roxbury.  Representa- 
tive. Counsellor  of  the  Supreme  Judicial  Court.  Treasurer  of  this 
Society  1835  to  1856. 

Square  Pew  No.  32. 

May  10,  1804.     Cost  $103.00.    Asa  Hunting,  see  Fourth  Meeting  House. 

April  9,  1806.     Nehemiah  Munroe,  see  Deacons. 

Dec.  29,  1828.     John  Lemist,  see  Pew  No.  29,  Lower  Floor. 

March  12,  1835.     Charles  Grant,  see  square  Pew  No.  24,  in  Gallery. 

Square  Pew  No.  33 

May  10,  1804.     Cost  $110.00.    Thomas  Trott  Robinson,  b.  Aug.  22, 

1762 ;  d.  Oct.  24,  1824 ;  m.  Polly  Holbrook.     Cotton  merchant. 
April  21,  1817.     John  Clap,  see  Deacons. 

Square  Pew  No.  34 

May  10,  1804.     Cost  $111.00.     Stephen  Williams,  Jr.,  see  Pew  No.  104, 

Lower  Floor. 
March  6,  1815.    Thomas  Williams,  Jr.,  see  Pew  No.  32,  Lower  Floor. 
July  1,  1816.     John  Lowell,  see  Pew  No.  101,  Lower  Floor. 

Square  Pew  No.  35 

May  10,  1804.     Cost  $119.00.     Samuel  Whittemore;  reverted  to  Parish. 
Apr.  21,  1806.     Dr.  John  Bartlett,  see  Pew  No.  31,  Lower  Floor. 
Jan.  17,  1810.     Jacob  Allen,  see  Pew  No.  14,  Lower  Floor. 

Square  Pew  No.  36 

May  10,  1804.     Cost  $150.00.    Benjamin  Wait,  b. 1775;  d.  May  17, 

1817;  m.  Clarissa .     Grocer. 

Afterwards  a  free  pew. 

Square  Pew  No.  37 

May  10,  1804.     Cost  $125.00.     Aaron  Child,  see  Fourth  Meeting  House. 
May  9,  1825.     Jonathan  Dorr,  see  Pew  No.  84,  Lower  Floor. 
June  13,  1834.     James  Howe  CHAMPNEY,see  Square  Pew  No.  3,  in  Gallery. 
Oct.   13,  1834.    Daniel  Andrew  Sigourney,  see  Pew  No.  38,  Lower 
Floor. 


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PLAN    OF    THE    GALLERIES    OF    THE    PRESENT 
MEETING    HOUSE. 


PEW    OWNERS  317 


Sqtiare  Pew  No.  38 

May  10,  1804.  Cost  $150.00.  Daniel  McCakty  Prince,  bap.  Jan.  30, 
1780;  d.  March  23,  1806;  m.  Nancy  Thayer.     Mariner. 

Nov.  12,  1805.  John  Howe,  b.  June  3,  1779;  d.  March  26,  1828;  m. 
Henrietta  Sparhawk.  Teacher  of  the  Grammar  School  (now  Roxbury 
Latin  School)  Worshipful  Master  of  Washington  Lodge  F.  &  A.  M. 
and  delivered  an  address  in  this  meeting  house  occasioned  by  the 
death  of  Aaron  Bean,  Esq.,  in  the  presence  and  at  the  request  of  St. 
Paul's  Royal  Arch  Chapter,  April  18,  1820. 

Apr.  4,  1806.    Thomas  Williams,  see  Pew  No.  32,  Lower  Floor. 

April  23,  1824.    Daniel  Sauneverson,  see  Pew  No.  81,  Lower  Floor. 

March  10,  1830.    Isaac  Davis,  see  Pew  No.  8,  Lower  Floor. 

In  April,  1835,  the   galleries  were    altered    from  square  pews  to    long 
pews  including  much  of  the  space  occupied  by  the  singers'  seats. 

Long  Pew  No.  1 

Apr.  22,  1835.    Thomas  Summons,  see  Pew  No.  17,  Lower  Floor- 
May  17, 1837.     George  Arthuk  Simmons,  see  Long  Pew  No.  2,  in  Gallery. 
Feb.  3,  1887.     George  Allen  Dart,  see  Long  Pew  No.  64,  in  Gallery. 

Long  Pew  No.  2 

April  22,  1835.    Thomas  Simmons,  see  Pew  No.  17,  Lower  Floor. 

May  17,  1837.  George  Arthur  Simmons,  b.  May  17,  1808;  d.  Feb.  26, 
1881 ;  m.  Belinda  Wells.  Merchant  on  Long  Wharf,  keeping  the  same 
place  for  53  years.  First  to  reduce  the  refining  of  whale  and  sperm  oil 
to  a  science.  Afterwards  interested  in  real  estate.  Never  sought 
pubhc  office. 

Oct.  28,  1854.  Joseph  Warren  Hunnewell,  b.  Jan. — ,  1818;  d.  April, 
1873;  m.  Emeline  Aquila  Sargent.     Dealer  in  paints  and  oils. 

Aug.  18,  1864.    Hannah  Maria  Parsons,  w.  of  Thomas  W.  Parsons. 

March  28,  1865.     George  A.  Hltll,  li\'ing. 

Long  Pew  No.  3 

Apr.  22,  1835.    Ephratm  Harrington,  see  Square  Pew  No.  8,  in  Gallery. 
April  15,  1852.     James  Davenport,  see  Long  Pew  No.  19,  in  Gallery. 
March  27,  1873.    Dr.  James  Henry  Davenport,  b.  April  18,  1846;   d. 

Dec.  26,  1878;  m.  Elizabeth  Wyman  Bacon.     Physician.     H.  C.  1868. 

M.D.  1871. 
Dec.  10,  1879.     Sarah  Adams  Davenport,  w.  of  James  Davenport. 


318  THE   FIFTH   MEETING   HOUSE 

Long  Pew  No.  4 

April  22,  1835.    Watson  Gore,  see  Pew  No.  34,  Lower  Floor. 

Sept.  9,  1845.  David  R.  Nash,  m.  CaroUne  M.  Fox.  connected  with  Bay 
State  Brewery. 

Oct.  14,  1847.  George  William  Wheelwright,  b.  Sept.  19,  1813;  d. 
Dec.  16,  1879;  m.  Hannah  Giddings  Tyler.  First  in  the  dry  goods 
business  afterwards  in  the  paper  business.  Founder  of  the  firm  of 
George  W.  Wheelwright  &  Son.  Large  Mills  run  by  the  firm  in 
several  towns. 

Oct.  28,  1863.     Charles  Mato  Ellis,  see  Pew  No.  18,  Lower  Floor. 

March  16,  1864.    Mrs.  Gushing  Stetson,  w.  of  Gushing  Stetson. 

Oct.  8,  1864.    Mary  Abeline  Berry,  w.  of  Augustus  D.  Berry. 


Long  Pew  No.  5 

April  22,  1835.    Thomas  Simmons,  see  Pew  No.  17,  Lower  Floor. 

May  17, 1837.     George  Arthur  Simmons,  see  Long  Pew  No.  2,  in  Gallery. 

March  6,  1840.     Henry  Bartlett,  see  Pew  No.  80,  Lower  Floor. 

May  30,  1845.  John  Adaji  Weisse,  b.  Dec.  3,  1810;  d.  Jan.  12,  1888;  m. 
Jane  Lee  Hunt.  Grad.  Gollege  in  Bitsch,  Lorraine,  also  in  Metz. 
Prof,  of  French  in  Vienna.  He  conducted  a  private  school  on  Haw- 
thorne St.,  Roxbury,  afterwards  settled  in  New  York. 

Feb.  23,  1846.  Oliver  A.  Farwell,  of  Roxbury.  Gommission  merchant. 
Gonnected  with  Bay  State  Brewery. 

July  17,  1849.     Gharles  Frederick  Sleeper,  living. 

Aug.  12,  1857.  John  Sherburne  Sleeper,  b.  Sept.  25,  1794;  d.  Nov.  14, 
1878;  m.  Mary  Folsom  Noble.  Educated  at  Phillips  (Exeter,  N.  H.) 
Academy.  From  1809  to  1830  followed  the  sea.  Established  "The 
Exeter  News  Letter."  Afterwards  purchased  "The  Lowell  Daily 
Journal."  In  1834  removed  to  Boston.  For  20  years  sole  editor  and 
part  proprietor  of  "The  Boston  Mercantile  Journal,"  now  "The 
Boston  Journal."  Mayor  of  Roxbury.  Member  of  the  Gonstitutional 
Convention  in  1853.     Representative. 

Jan.  5,  1872.    Julla.  Ann  G.  Gray,  dau.  of  Alfred  T.  Gray. 

Long  Pew  No.  6 

July  11,  1835.  Joseph  Harrington,  Jr.,  b.  Feb.  21,  1813;  d.  Nov.  2, 
1852;  m.  Helen  E.  Griswold.  H.  G.  1833.  Taught  in  Academy  in 
East  Greenwich,  R.  I.  Master  of  the  Hawes  School  in  South  Boston, 
meanwhile  studying  for  the  ministry  with  Rev.  George  Putnam.  Or- 
dained as  an  evangelist  in  1840  and  became  pastor  of  a    church  in 


PEW   OWNERS  319 


Chicago,  afterwards  in  Hartford,  Conn.,  and  then  in  San  Francisco, 
where  after  preaching  seven  Sundays,  he  died.  He  freed  all  of  these 
societies  from  debt. 

Dec.  1,  1847.  Josiah  Fisk,  b.  Aug.  17,  1810;  d.  May  19,  1869;  m.  Helen 
Maria  Bridge.     Merchant. 

Dec.  1,  1849.  George  Burrill  Faunce,  b.  Aug.  11,  1824;  d.  Feb.  24, 
1899;  m.  Abbie  J.  Trenn.  Real  estate  agent.  President  of  the 
Dedham  Mut.  Fire  Ins.  Co.  Member  of  the  Roxbury  Common 
Council  and  of  the  Boston  Board  of  Aldermen. 

July  25, 1851.    George  Arthur  Simmons,  see  Long  Pew  No.  2,  in  Gallery. 

Feb  2,  1867.     Helen  E.  Harrington,  w.  of  Joseph  Harrington,  Jr. 

Sept.  16,  1868.  William  Tukell  Andrews,  b.  Dec.  24,  1794;  d.  Nov. 
24,  1879;  m.  Fanny  Mackay  Reynolds.  Director  and  President 
City  Bank  43  years.  Director  Mass.  Mut.  Ins.  Co.,  27  years.  Director 
Manufacturer's  Insurance  Co.,  30  years.  Trustee  and  Vice-Pres. 
Provident  Institution  31  years.  Trustee  of  Boston  Public  Library 
over  50  years.  Trustee  Mass.  General  Hospital.  Trustee  McLean 
Asylum.  Trustee  Westborough  Reform  School.  Trustee  Old  Ladies' 
Home.  Trustee  of  the  Boston  Athenagum.  Overseer  of  House  of 
Correction.  Member  of  Boston  Board  of  Aldermen.  Member  of 
Mass.  Charitable  Society  41  years,  its  President  5  years.  Treas. 
of  Harvard  College,  1853-1857. 


Long  Pew  No.  7 

April  22,  1835.     Jesse  Putnam  Richardson,  b.  1794;  d.  May  29,  1840; 

m.  Susan  Cabot. 
May  19,  1841.    Augustus  Perrin,  b.  Aug.  6,  1788;  d.  Aug.  8,  1844;  m, 

Harriet  Child.     First  importer  of   palm    leaf  into  the  United  States. 

He  established  the  business  of  braiding  palm  leaf  hats. 
April  1,  1845.     William  Sticknet.     Dealer  in  domestic  produce  with 

Charles  F.  Joy. 
June  13,  1849.     John  Hunt,  see  Deacons. 
March  26,  1856.     James  O.  Sargen-t,  b.  Nov.  21,  1823;  d.  Jan.  8,  1897. 

Unmarried.     Lawyer. 

LoTig  Pew  No.  8 

April  22,  1835.    Ephraim  Harrington,  see  Square  Pew  No.  8,  in  Gallery. 

Sept.  9,  1839.  Lincoln  Fearing,  b.  July  22,  1792;  d.  May  10,  1873; 
m.  Harriet  A.  Williams.  Farmer.  Agent  Roxbury  Color  and  Chem- 
ical Co. 


320  THE   FIFTH    MEETING   HOUSE 

Long  Pew  No.  9 

April  22,  1835.    David  Allen  Simmons,  see  Pew  No.  33,  Lower  Floor. 
May  16,  1835.    Ephraim  Harrington,  see  Square  Pew  No.  8,  in  Gallery. 
June  28,  1884.    Seth  Augustus  Fowle,  living. 


Long  Pew  No.  10 

Jan.  1,  1844.    Sophia  S.  Harrington,  dau.  of  Joseph  Harrington. 
July  10,  1851.    Joseph  Dorr,  see  Pew  No.  107,  Lower  Floor. 

Long  Pew  No.  11 

April  22,  1835.     Benjamin  FRANKLm  Copeland,  see  Pew  No.  27,  Lower 

Floor. 
May  17,  1837.    George  Arthur  Simmons,  see  Long  Pew  No.  2,  in  Gallery. 
Jan.  29,  1842.    Rev.  Charles  Briggs,  b.  Jan.  17,  1791;  d.  Dec.  18,  1873; 

m.  Eliza  Casey.    H.  C.  1815.    Ordained  April  28,  1819.    A  pastor  for 

16  years.     Secretary  of  the  American  Unitarian  Association. 
May  21,  1883.    Edmund  Hersey  Stowell,  b.  May  10,  1824;  d.  Nov.  6, 

1896 ;  m.  Susan  Lawn.    Importer  of  cloths,  afterwards  a  leather  dealer. 


Long  Pew  No.  12 

April  22,  1835.    Benjamin  Franklin  Copeland,  see  Pew  No.  27,  Lower 

Floor. 
Oct.  10,  1835.    Richard  Ward,  b.  Nov.  17,  1789;  d.  March  13,  1862;  m. 

Lucy  Tidd.     Member  of  the  Standing  Committee.     Cashier  of  the 

Atlantic  Bank.     Alderman.     One  of  three  who  selected  the  site  for 

Forest  Hills  Cemetery. 
Oct.  30, 1840.     Samuel  Francis  Train,  b.  Sept.  — ,  1818;  d.  Nov.  1, 1863; 

m.  Frances  Gore  Glover.     Hide  and  leather  dealer.     Chief  of  the  Rox- 

bury  Fire  Department.    In  the  Navy  at  time  of  death. 
Jan.  1,  1844.    Thomas  Tilden,  b.  June  18,  1775;  d.  May  12,  1858;  m. 

(1)  Frances  Burns  Fulton,  (2)  Mrs.  Hannah  B.  Patterson.     Mason. 
March  9,  1866.    Hannah  Tilden  Bartlett,  dau.  of  Hosea  Bartlett. 


Long  Pew  No.  13 

May  16,  1835.    William  Bradley  Dorr,  see  Pew  No.  94,  Lower  Floor. 

Sept.  14,  1835.     Sarah  Hickling,  w.  of  William  Hickling. 

May  3,  1836.    Richard  Ward,  see  Long  Pew  No.  12,  in  Gallery. 


PEW   OWNERS  321 


Aug.  5, 1870.    Franklin  Greene,  see  Pew  No.  5,  Lower  Floor. 

Oct.  3, 1870.     Matthias  Denman  Ross,  b.  Nov.  1, 1819 ;  d.  Sept.  14, 1892 ; 

m.  (1)  Mary  Swift  Waldo,  (2)  Caroline  E.  Archer.     Merchant. 
Aug.  21,  1874.    Edward  Belcher  Reynolds,  see  Deacons. 

Long  Pew  No.  14 

April  22,  1835.     James  Lewis,  see  Square  Pew  No.  4,  in  Gallery. 

May  3,  1851.     Josiah  Wheelwright,  b.  June  26,  1824;  d.  April  11,  1894; 

m.  Lucinda  Orne  Chapin.     Merchant. 
March  26,  1858.    Susan  C.  Wheelwright,  w.  of  William  Wheelwright. 
Jan.  3,  1871.    Leonard  Ware,  Jr.,  living. 

Long  Pew  No.  15 

April  22,  1835.    Scotto  Clark,  b.  Sept.  2,  1782;  d.  Oct.  12,  1844;  m.  Sally 

M.  Freeman.     Merchant. 
Sept.  10,  1838.     Sarah  Hickling,  w.  of  William  Hickling. 
Jan.  9,  1846.    Charles  Hickling,  see  Square  Pew  No.  3,  in  Gallery. 

Long  Pew  No.  16 

April  22,  1835.    Eleazer  Giles  Lemon,  b.  Jan.  13,  1801 ;  d.  July  15,  1845. 

Unmarried.     Apothecary.     Postmaster  of  Roxbury. 
March  15,  1845.     George  Baxter  Hyde,  b.  March  20,  1811;  d.  July  8, 

1889;   m.  Mary  Whitten  Clap.      A  public  school  teacher.      Member 

of  the  Boston  School  Committee. 
April  28,  1845.    Edward  Carrington  Bates,  b.  Jan.  11,  1811;  d.  Dec. 

26,   1872;    m.  Mary  Caroline  Cook.     Merchant.     President  of  Nat. 

Bank  of  Commerce.    Agent  of  Cunard  Steamers. 
June  16,  1859.     Charles  Frederick  Bradford,  see  Pew  No.  104,  Lower 

Floor. 
Feb.  16,  1880.     Charles  A.  Grinnell,  see  Long  Pew  No.  17,  in  Gallery. 

Long  Pew  No.  17 

April  22,  1835.    Amos  Morse,  Jr.,  see  Square  Pew  No.  17,  in  Gallery. 
Jan.  31,  1843.     Charles  Knapp  Dillaway,  see  Deacons. 
Dec.  16, 1846.     Joseph  Harrington,  see  Pew  No.  24,  Lower  Floor. 
Jan.  25,  1853.     Susan  C.  Wheelwright,  w.  of  William  Wheelwright. 
April  24,  1857.     George  Lewis,  b.  May  25,  1820;  d.  Oct.  8,  1887;  m. 

Susan  Minns  Wheelwright.     Member  of  Common  Council  of  Roxbury. 

Alderman.    Mayor    of    Roxbury.    Member    Boston    Water    Board. 


322  THE   FIFTH   MEETING   HOUSE 

Treasurer  of  Forest  Hills  Cemetery  Corporation.    Treasurer  Granite 

Railway  Co.    Director  of  People's  Nat.  Bank.     Director  of  Roxbiu-y 

Gas  Light  Co. 
Feb.  24, 1858.    Samuel  Parkman  Blake,  see  Long  Pew  No.  45,  in  Gallery. 
Oct.  3,  1874.     Charles  Andrews  Grinnell,  b.  Dec.  4,  1816;  d.  April  22, 

1895;    m.   Anna  Almy   Cobb.      Manufacturer  of   boots   and   shoes. 

Director  of  the  Nat.    Bank  of  Redemption.     President  of    the  New 

England  Shoe  and  Leather  Association. 

Long  Pew  No.  18 

April  22,  1835.    Ebenezer  Crafts,  see  Deacons. 

May,  1835.    Jonathajm  Pratt  Robinson,  see  square  Pew  No.  7,  in  Gallery. 
July  9,  1844.    Eliza  Rigart  Harrington,  dau.  of  Joseph  Harrington. 
Nov.  6,  1851.    James  Cunningham,  b.  April  27,  1801;  d.  Aug.  12,  1872; 

m.  Catharine  Hays  Howard.     Merchant. 
Oct.  28,  1852.     WiLLMM  DwiGHT,  b.  April  15,  1805;  d.  Sept.  20,  1880;  m. 

Elizabeth    Ameha    White.     Merchant.     Treasurer    of    the    Pepperell 

Manufacturing   Co. 
Dec.  31,  1866.    Henry  Faulkner,  b.  Sept.  19,.  1839;   d.  Jan  12,  1868; 

m.  Victoria  G.  Wheat.    Wool  Merchant. 
Oct.  9,  1868.    Maria  D.  Lockwood,  w.  of  Commodore  Samuel  Lockwood. 
,  1899.    Thomas  S.  Lockwood,  living. 

Long  Pew  No.  19 

July  11,  1835.     Joseph  Harrington,  Jr.,  see  Long  Pew  No.  6,  in  Gallery. 
July  3,  1846.     James  Davenport,  b.  June  22,  1817;  d.  Nov.  7,  1872;  m. 

Sarah  Adams  Wiswell.     An  ornamental  car  and  carriage  painter. 
Oct.  18,  1851.     Jonathan  Bigelow,  b.  Jan.  1,  1825;  d.  May  11,  1907;  m. 

Sarah  Brooks.      Dealer  in  boots,  shoes  and  rubbers.     Representative. 
May  17,  1854.    Leonard  Crocker  Bowles,  see  Pew  No.  78,  Lower  Floor. 
Dec.  8,  1854.    William  Crosby,  see  Long  Pew  No.  42,  in  Gallery. 
June  9,  1855.     Samuel  T.  Crosby,  see  Long  Pew  No.  70,  in  Gallery. 
June  16,  1862.    Benjamin  Lincoln,  b.  July  21,  1816;  d.  July  21,  1884. 

Unmarried.     Clerk. 
Oct.  26,  1868.    Maby  Ann  Smith  Easton,  dau.  of  Isaac  Easton. 
Nov.  19,  1872.    Henry  Peleg  Coffin,  b.  Aug.  7,  1839,  d.  Feb.  11,  1894; 

m.  Mary  Greenwood  Barrett.      Real  estate  and   insurance.     Member 

of  the  Cadets. 
April  23,  1883.    HmAM  Whitttngton,  b.  Nov.  5,  1843;  d.  Jan.  31,  1905; 

m.  Alice  Parker  Streeter.     Wholesale  hardware  dealer.     Trustee  of 

estates. 


PEW   OWNERS  323 


Lo7ig  Pew  No.  20 

April  9,  1838.     Jonathan  Pratt  Robinson,  see  Square  Pew  No.  7,  in 

Gallery. 
Nov.  27,  1844.    Henry  Weld  Puller,  b.  Jan.  16,  1810;    d.  Aug.  16, 

1889;   m.  Mary  Storer  Goddard.     Lawyer.     Clerk  of  Circuit  Court. 

Pounder  and  treasurer  of  Woodlawn  Cemetery,  Everett,  Mass. 
Nov.  6,  1882.    Henry  Alphonso  Morse,  b.  March  27,  1832;  d.  June  21, 

1900;  m.  Joan  D.  Follansby.     Wholesale  coal  merchant. 

Long  Pew  No.  21 

April  22,  1835.     Jonathan  Pratt  Robinson,  see  Square  Pew  No.  7,  in 

Gallery. 
March  3,  1847.    Charles  Tilden  Appleton,  b.  Jan.  11,  1809;  d.  March 

11,    1859;     m.    (1)  Catharine    Lawrence,    (2)  Mary    Grave   Barker. 

Merchant.     Treasurer  of  Lowell  Bleachery  and  Clinton  Mills. 
Nov.  6,  1882.     Henry  Weld  Fuller,  see  Long  Pew  No.  20,  in  Gallery. 

Long  Pew  No.  22 

April  22,  1835.     Samuel  Langley,  see  Pew  No.  17,  Lower  Floor. 

May  15,  1845.  Edward  Wyman,  b.  Aug.  1,  1818;  d.  Oct.  26,  1899;  m. 
(1)  Margaret  Curry  Boyd,  (2)  Caroline  King  Hooper.  Merchant. 
Captain  of  Roxbury  Reserve  Guard.  Commander  of  the  Ancient  and 
Honorable  ArtUlery  Co.     Chief  of  Staff  of  Governor  Gaston. 

Sept.  7,  1869.     Sarah  B.  Lewis,  a  well-known  school  teacher  of  Roxbury. 

May  3,  1897.    Alfred  Bunker,  living. 

Long  Pew  No.  23 

April  22,  1835.    Joseph  Harrington,  see  Pew  No.  24,  Lower  Floor. 

Jan.  31,  1843.    Charles  Knapp  Dillaway,  see  Deacons. 

Dec.  16,  1846.     Joseph  Harrington,  see  Pew  No.  24,  Lower  Floor. 

March  3,  1853.  Francis  Gardner,  b.  Nov.  6,  1809;  d.  Dec.  22,  1881; 
m.  Lydia  Nowell  Browne.  Wholesale  hardware  merchant.  Alder- 
man.    Member  Boston  Common  Coimcil. 

April  29,  1874.    Lydia  Nowell  Gardner,  w.  of  James  Gardner. 

Long  Pew  No.  24 

April  22,  1835.     Stedman  Williams,  see  Pew  No.  105,  Lower  Floor. 
Jan.  6,  1851.    Alfred  Tupper  Gray,  b.  Dec.  11,  1797;   d.  March  17, 
1867;  m.  Mary  Woodward  Gray.    Bookkeeper. 


324  THE   FIFTH   MEETING   HOUSE 

Jan.  3,  1872.     Saimuel  Frothingham,  b.  July  17,  1815;  d.  Dec.  25,  1872; 

m.  Maria  Louisa  Whitridge.     Dry  goods    merchant.    A    director  of 

the  Suffolk  National  Bank. 
April  29,  1876.    Maria  LoxnsA  Frothingham,  w.  of  Samuel  Frothingham. 
Dec.  23,  1883.     Joseph  B.  Bryant,  living. 
Dec.  24,  1884.     George Burrill  Faunce,  see  Ix)ng  Pew  No.  6,  in  Gallery. 

Long  Pew  No.  25 

April  22,  1835.     Shubael,  Bills,  see  square  Pew  No.  12,  in  Gallery. 
Dec.  6,  1847.     Lewis  Slack,  b.  March  11,  1804;  d.  Jan.  — ,  1883;  m.  (1) 

Pedy  Dudley,   (2)  Mary  Reed    Flower.     Produce  dealer.     Justice  of 

the  Peace.     Member  of  Roxbury  Fire  Department. 
Jan.  17,  1856.     William  Crosby,  see  Long  Pew  No  42,  in  Gallery. 

ion.gr  Pew  No.  26 

April  22,  1835.     John  Sawin,  see  Square  Pew  No.  11,  in  Gallery. 
July  10,  1857.    Horatio  Gilbert,  b.  Aug.  15,  1807;   d.  April  30,  1883; 
m.  Cordelia  E.  Perry.     Dealer  in  iron  and  steel  springs  and  axles. 

Long  Pew  No.  27 

April  22,  1835.     Joseph  Harrington,  see  Pew  No.  24,  Lower  Floor. 

Aug.  25,  1857.  WiLLL\M  Sherman  Leland,  b.  Oct.  12,  1824;  d.  July  26, 
1869;  m.  Sarah  Elizabeth  Hallett.  Educated  in  the  public  schools 
of  Roxbury.  Studied  law  in  his  father's  office.  Succeeded  his  father 
as  Judge  of  Probate  of  Norfolk  County.  Received  honorary  degree  of 
Master  of  Arts  from  Harvard  College.  Director  of  the  People's  Bank. 
One  of  the  founders  of  the  Eliot  Five  Cent  Savings  Bank,  and  its  Presi- 
dent.    Member  of  the  City  Government  of  Roxbury. 

Sept.  27,  1859.  Nathan  Carruth  Cary,  see  Long  Pew  No.  68  in  the 
Gallery. 

Long  Pew  No.  28 

April  22,  1835.    Willluvi  Butters,  b.  Nov.  1,  1786;   d.  Oct.  11,  1866; 

m.   (1)  Sophia  Charlotte  Green,   (2)  Eloisa  Moureau  Cormerals;  (3) 

Rebecca  Fletcher  White  Cram.     Lawyer. 
May  5,  1836.     Jacob  IVIarshall,  m.  Mary  Gay. 
Aug.  10,  1841.    Lydia  Faxon. 
Aug.  23,  1853.    Mary  Faxon. 
Dec.  24,  1888.    Dependence  Sturtevant  Waterman,  living. 


PEW   OWNERS  325 


Long  Pew  No.  29 

April  22,  1835.     Chenery  Clarke,  see  Pew  No.  14,  Lower  Floor. 

Aug.  12,  1857.    Rebecca  Harrington,  w.  of  Joseph  Harrington. 

Apr.  24,  1865.    David  Miller  Hodgdon,  b.  March  22,  1829;  d.  May  17, 

1894;    m.   Henrietta  Young.     Merchant.     Member  of  the  Standing 

Committee. 
Dec.  16,  1898.    Dependence  Sttjrtevant  Waterman,  see  Long  Pew  No. 

28,  in  Gallery. 

Long  Pew  No.  30 

April  22,  1835.  Jonathan  A.  Richards,  see  Deacons. 

May  16,  1842.  William  Whiting,  see  Pew  No.  84,  Lower  Floor. 

Feb.   15,   1878.  Lydia  Cushing    (Russell)   Whiting,  w.  of    William 

Whiting. 

May  21,  1882.  Rose  S.  Wfiiting,  dau.  of  William  Whiting. 

Nov.  12,  1887.  Mrs.  Hannah  Jones. 

Long  Pew  No.  31 

Nov.  16,  1857.     George  B.  Foster,  b.  Feb.  10,  1810;   d.  June  22,  1881; 
m.  Catherine  E.  Duncan.     Silversmith  and  jeweller. 

Long  Pew  No.  32 

Nov.  12,  1867.     IVLuiiA  D.  Lockwood,  w.  of  Commodore  Samuel  Lock- 
wood. 

Feb.  12,  1869.     Francis  Baker,  Jr.,  b.  Jan.  26,  1824;  d.  Dec.  19,  1877. 
m.  Lydia  May  Vose.     Wholesale  salt  dealer. 

Dec.  7,  1872.    Edward  Belcher  Reynolds,  see  Deacons. 

May  19,  1886.     Charlotte  G.  Coffin,  dau.  of  Peter  Coflfin,  of  Portsmouth, 
N.  H. 

Long  Pew  No.  33 

April  22,  1835.     Joseph  Hakrington,  see  Pew  No.  24,  Lower  Floor. 

Jan.  31,  1843.     Charles  Ejstapp  Dillaway,  see  Deacons. 

May  10,  1864.    Frederick  Hall  Bradlee,  b.  Sept.  18,  1807;  d.  Sept.  6, 

1888;    m.  Lucretia  Wainwright.     H.  C.  1827.     Merchant.     Director 

of  Old  Boston  National  Bank. 
Feb.  27,  1890.     Mrs.  Lucy  B.  Stone,  dau.  of  Frederick  Hall  Bradlee. 

Long  Peiv  No.  34 

April  8,  1867.    Mrs.  Ann  F.  Holmes. 

March  3,  1879.     James  Warren  Hayward,  living. 


326  THE   FIFTH   MEETING   HOUSE 

Long  Pew  No.  35 
July  16,  1867.     James  Ritchie,  see  Pew  No.  65,  Lower  Floor. 


Long  Pew  No.  36 
Free  Pew. 

Long  Pew  No.  37 

Jan.  13,  1868.     Pickering  Atw-ell,  b.  May  — ,  1812;  d.  Jan.  31,  1866;  m. 
Adeline  Prentice.     Merchant  tailor. 


Long  Pew  No.  38 

Jan.  28,  1866.    William  R.  Houston,  b.  1816;    d.  Oct.  13,  1881;   m. 

Susan  E.  Lee.     Carpenter  and  biulder.     Alderman.     Director  in  the 

Roxbury  Mechanics  Institute. 
Feb.  4,  1868.     Erastus  Sampson,  b.  Aug.  28,  1808;  d.  May  17,  1885;  m. 

Elizabeth  Winsor.     Shipmaster,   subsequently  agent    of  Boston  and 

Baltimore  Steamsliip  Line. 


Long  Pew  No.  39 
Free  Pew. 

Lo7ig  Pew  No.  40 
Free  Pew. 

Long  Pew  No.  41 

June  24,  1845.     John  Jones  Clarke,  see  Square  Pew  No.  31,  in  the 

Gallery. 
Jan.  20,  1880.    Edward  Belcher  Reynolds,  see  Deacons. 
Oct.  1,  1903.    Matthew  Binney,  living. 


Long  Pew  No.  42 

AprU  22,   1835.    Daniel  Andrew  Sigoukney,  see  Pew  No.  38,  Lower 

Floor. 
Nov.  19,  1838.     Charles  Jefferson  Hendee,  see  Long  Pew  No.  61,  in 

the  Gallery. 
June  3,  1844.     Charles  Inches,  b.  March  — ,  1808;  d.  Jan.  22, 1888;  m. 

Harriet  Auchmuty  Howard  Boit.     Broker. 
April  12,  1845.    Leonard  C.  Bowles,  see  Pew  No.  78,  Lower  Floor. 


PEW   OWNERS  327 


Oct.  7,  1845.  William  Crosby,  b.  Oct.  27,  1818;  d.  Sept.  9,  1907;  m. 
Mary  Elizabeth  Bowles.  Member  of  the  firm  of  Crosby  and  Nichols, 
booksellers,  and  of  Crosby,  Lee  and  Co.,  booksellers.  Superintendent 
of  the  Children's  Mission  for  20  years.  Member  of  the  Standing  Com- 
mittee, Clerk  and  Treasurer  of  this  Society. 

Dec.  — ,  1853.  Chaeles  Heney  Waeeen,  b.  Sept.  29,  1798;  d.  June — , 
1874;  m.  Abby  Burr  Hedge.  H.  C.  1817.  Lawyer.  Judge  of  Court 
of  Common  Pleas  in  New  Bedford.  President  of  Boston  and  Providence 
R.  R.     Senator  and  President  of  the  Senate. 

April  13,  1871.  Joshua  Huntington  Wolcott,  b.  Aug.  29, 1804 ;  d.  Jan.  4, 
1891;  m.  (1)  Cornelia  Frothingham,  (2)  Harriet  Frothingham.  Edu- 
cated in  Litchfield,  Conn.  Member  of  the  firm  of  A.  and  A.  Lawrence 
and  Co.,  dry  goods  merchants.  Member  of  the  Society  of  the  Cincinnati. 
Treasurer  of  the  Sanitary  Commission.  Father  of  Governor  Roger 
Wolcott. 

Oct.  12, 1880.    Henry  A.  S.  D.  Dudley,  see  Long  Pew  No.  54,  in  Gallery. 

Jan.  27,  1883.     Josephine  Mackay  Hicks,  dau.  of    William  Howland 


Hicks. 


Long  Pew  No.  43 


Sept.  3,  1839.    Charles  Ford,  m.  Lois .     Farmer.    Removed  to 

Dover. 
Jan.  25,  1845.    Ebenezer  Pratt,  see  Pew  No.  90,  Lower  Floor. 

Long  Pew  No.  44 

Aug.  1835.    Abuah  Merriam,  see  Pew  No.  79,  Lower  Floor. 

May  12,  1845.     George  Packer,  b.  Oct.  9,  1801;  d.  June  19,  1889;  m. 

Catherine  French  Bowen.     Morocco  manufacturer.     One  of  the  first 

stockholders  of  the  Rockland  National  Bank. 
Jan.  29,  1856.     Roland  Worthington,  b.  Sept.  22,  1817;  d.  March  20, 

1898;  m.  Abby  Bartlett   Adams.     Proprietor  of  the   Boston  Traveler. 

Alderman.     Collector  of  the  Port  of  Boston. 
Dec.  19,  1857.    Frances  Cordis  Clarke,  w.  of  Manlius  Stimson  Clarke. 
Dec.  21,  1872.    Aaron  Davis  Williams,  see  Long  Pew  No.  45,  in  Gallery. 
May  28,  1883.     Frances  Cordis  Clarke,  w.  of  Manhus  Stimson  Clarke. 

Long  Pew  No.  45 

June  13,  1837.    Nathaniel  Dorr,  see  Pew  No.  97,  Lower  Floor. 

Aug.  7,  1845.     Samuel  Parkman  Blake,  b.  Jan.  30,  1804;  d.  Dec.  26, 

1889;  m.  Ann  Boylston  Cunningham.     H.  C.  1823  (Rebellion  Class). 

Received  his  degrees  of  A.B.  and  A.M.  in  1841.    Merchant. 


328  THE   FIFTH   MEETING   HOUSE 

Jan.  1,  1850.     Caleb  Loring  Cunningham,  b.  Nov.  22,  1821;  d.  Aug.  11, 

1863;  m.  Clementina  Trufant.     Merchant. 
April  12,  1854.    Augustus  Daniel  Berry,  b.  June  14,  1810;  d.  Feb.  16, 

1864;  m.  Mary  Adeline   Farnliam.     Wholesale   dry  goods   merchant. 
July  13, 1860.    Aaron  Davis  Williams,  b.  Sept.  11, 1821 ;  d.  Dec.  21, 1899; 

m.  Susan  B.  Farnham.     Merchant.     President  of  the  Boston  Lead  Co. 

Director  of  the  Rockland  Nat.  Bank.     Trustee  of  the  Instu.  for  Savings 

in  Roxbiu-y.     Councillor  of  Mass.  Horticultural  Society.     Member  of 

the  Roxbm-y  Common  Council.     Honorary  member  of  the  Roxbury 

Horse  Guards. 
Dec.  23, 1872.    William  Howland  Hicks,  see  I^ong  Pew  No.  70,  in  Gallery. 
Nov.  13,  1882.    Josephine  M.  Hicks,  dau.  of  William  Howland  Hicks. 

Long  Pew  No.  46 

April  22,  1835.     John  Jones  Clarke,  see  Square  Pew  No.  31,  in  Gallery. 

June  28,  1841.    Hiram  Withington,  b.  July  29,  1818. 

May  17,  1842.  William  Blanchard,  Jr.,  b.  July  3, 1817 ;  d.  June  2,  1887 ; 
m.  Mary  Elizabeth  Seaver.  Manufacturer.  Member  of  Boston  Com- 
mon Council.     Representative.     Member  of  Standing  Committee. 

April  16,  1845.     Mrs.  Luclv  G.  Wells. 

Feb.  21,  1851.    Lyman  Hollingsworth,  see  Pew  No.  92,  Lower  Floor. 

Long  Pew  No.  47 

April  22,  1835.     John  Clap,  see  Deacons. 

Aug.  19, 1841.    Alpheus  M.  Withington,  see  Pew  No.  49,  Lower  Floor. 

Oct.  9,  1841.     Susan  M.  Withington. 

March  2, 1844.    William  Blanchard,  Jr.,  see  Long  Pew  No.  46,  in  Gallery. 

April  11,  1845.     Charles  Tyler  Savage,  b.  March  15,  1797;  d.  Nov.  5, 

1879;  m.  Anna  Lewis  Thacher.     A  retired  sea  captain.     Succeeded  his 

father  in  1822  as  member  of  the  Society  of  the  Cincinnati. 
Jan.  1,  1850.     Samuel  Parkman  Blaice,  see  Long  Pew  No.  45,  in  Gallery. 
Sept.  15,  1853.     Catherine  Merriam,  dau.  of  Abijah  Merriam'. 
Jan.  14,  1859.     Robert  Hale,  b.  Oct.  1,  1815;  d.  June  28,  1888;  m.  Ann 

G.  Ward.     Supt.  of  several  Railroads.     Alderman.     One  of  the  original 

members  of  the  Unitarian  Church  in  Minneapolis. 
April  26,  1862.    Nancy  Gay,  w.  of  George  Gay. 
Feb.  4, 1871.    Martha  Gay,  dau.  of  George  Gay. 
Nov.  10,  1888.     Benjamin  Gilbert  Gay,  b.  Jan.  8,  1833;  d.  Oct.  5,  1892; 

unmarried.    Assistant  Treasurer  of  the  Calumet  and  Hecla  Mining  Co. 
Dec.  29,  1892.    Mrs.  Nettie  (Gay)  Hurlbert,  living. 


PEW   OWNEES  329 


Long  Pew  No.  48 

Sept.  26,  1842.  John  Amort  Lowell,  see  Pew  No.  101,  Lower  Floor. 
Aug.  31,  1852.  James  Cunningham,  see  Long  Pew  No.  18,  in  Gallery. 
Feb.  6,  1890.    Hepsie  Swan  Howard,  niece  of  Mrs.  James  Cunningham. 

Long  Pew  No.  49 

April  22,  1835.    Joseph  Smith. 

Nov.  22,  1842.     Sarah  Elizabeth  Miles,  w.  of  Solomon  Pearson  Miles. 

Apr.  8, 1859.    William  Sherman  Leland,  see  Long  Pew  No.  27,  in  Gallery. 

Long  Pew  No.  50 

April  22,  1835.     Charles  Davis,  see  Pew  No.  102,  Lower  Floor. 

June  13, 1839.    Edward  Williams  Adams,  see  Long  Pew  No.  52,  in  Gallery. 

Jan.  15, 1842.    Mary  Adams,  w.  of  James  Adams. 

Jan.  30,  1846.     John  Augustus  Dodd,  b.  Aug.  16,  1811 ;  d.  July  31,  1890. 

m.  (1)  Mary  Perrin  Adams,  (2)  Theoda  Hunnewell  Adams,  (3)  Sarah 

Whittemore.     Merchant. 
Sept.  15,  1856.    Roland  Worthington,  see  Long  Pew  No.  44,  in  Gallery. 

Long  Pew  No.  51 

April  22,  1835.     George  Augustus  Eliot,  b.  May  6,  1806;  d.  June  15, 

1838;  m.  Cordelia  Howe.     Hardware  dealer. 
Nov.  30,  1840.     John  Fleet  Eliot,  b.  Jan.  17,  1800;  d.  Aug.  30,  1881. 

Druggist. 
Aug.  20,  1845.    Enoch  Train  of  Boston,  b.  May  2,  1801;  d.  Sept.  6,  1868; 

m.  Ahnira  C.  Cheever.     Merchant.     Connected  with  a  Liverpool  line 

of  packets.     Member  of  Governor  John    Davis'  staff.     Director  of 

Tremont  Bank. 
Aug.  23,  1847.    Miss  Jane  I.  Willard. 
Oct.  30,  1867.    William  Goodwin  Russell,  of  Boston,  b.  Nov.  18,  1821 ; 

d.  Feb.  6,  1896;  m.  Mary  Ellen  Hedge.    H.  C.  1840.    Lawyer,  and  a 

Leader  of  the  Bar.     Overseer  of  Harvard  College. 
April  1,  1882.    Samuel  G.  Davis,  living 
Jan.  27,  1897.    Edward  P.  Sherburne,  living. 

Long  Pew  No.  52 

April  22,  1835,    James  Adams,  Jr.,  bap.  Feb.  21,  1813. 

Sept.  15,  1838.    Edward  Willl^ms  Adams,  b.  Nov.  22,  1814;  d.  Jan.  23, 

1842.     Unmarried.     Merchant. 
June  6,  1839.    Joel  Richards,  d.  1847;  m.  Eliza .    Merchant. 


330  THE  FIFTH   MEETING   HOUSE    ' 

Sept.  5,  1842.    Amos  Atkinson,  b.  May  11,  1792;  d.  June  26,  1864;  m. 

Anna  Greenleaf  Sawyer.     Merchant. 
Nov.  6,  1845.    Henby  Winsoe,  b.  Dec.  31,  1804;  d.  Oct.  28,  1889;  m. 

Mary  Ann  Davis.     Merchant  and  steamship  owner. 
July  1, 1847.    Isaac  Paeker,  b.  Dec.  21, 1778;  d.  Sept.  7, 1859;  m.  Betsey 

Wendell  Townsend.     Commission  merchant. 

Liong  Pew  No.  53 

April  22,  1835.    Jacob  Allen,  see  Pew  No.  14,  Lower  Floor. 

June  18,  1844.  Aaron  E.  Whittemore,  b,  1808;  d.  Nov.  19,  1852. 
Blacksmith.  . 

April  22,  1848.  Almon  Danforth  Hodges,  b.  Jan.  25,  1801 ;  d.  Sept.  27, 
1878;  m.  (1)  Martha  Comstock,  (2)  Mrs.  Jane  H.  Leonard.  Merchant. 
Member  of  the  General  Assembly  of  Rhode  Island.  President  of  the 
Washington  Bank.  One  of  the  organizers  of  the  Boston  Clearing 
House  and  Treasurer  of  the  Association  of  Banks  for  the  suppression 
of  coxmterf citing.     Commander  of  the  Roxbury  Horse  Guards. 

Nov.  16,  1880.    Frederick  S.  Hodges. 

Long  Pew  No.  54 

April  13, 1835.    Benjamin  Watt,  see  Square  Pew  No.  36,  in  Gallery. 

Jan.  2,  1854.    Pedy  Dudley,  w.  of  Col.  Joseph  Dudley. 

June  6,  1863.    Henry  Alexander  Scammell  Dearborn  Dudley,  b. 

Aug.  13,  1821 ;  d.  July  7, 1885.    Unmarried.    Member  of  the  Standing 

Committee. 
Sept.  7,  1885.     George  A.  Slack,  living. 
April  12,  1886.    Sarah  Elizabeth  Rumrill,  living. 

Long  Pew  No.  55 

April  26, 1835.  Charles  Blanchard,  b.  June  30, 1790;  d.  Sept.  28, 1863; 
m.  Ann  Isabel  Blanchard.  Merchant.  Member  of  Boston  Light 
Infantry  in  1814. 

April  6,  1854.  Henry  Fullerton  Cragin,  b.  Feb.  9,  1829;  d.  Nov.  28, 
1865;  m.  Abigail  Roe  Dalton  Blanchard.  Cotton  Commission 
Merchant. 

April  24,  1854.    Ann  Isabel  Blanchard,  w.  of  Charles  Blanchard. 

May  18,  1864.  Charles  Jarvis  Danforth,  b.  Aug.  11,  1825;  d.  May  17, 
1877;  m.  Sarah  Elizabeth  Robbins.  Dry  Goods  Merchant.  Member 
of  the  Music  Committee.  A  prominent  member  of  the  Masonic  fra- 
ternity. 

March  26, 1890.    Samuel  Everett  Tinkham,  living. 


PEW   OWNERS  331 


Long  Pew  No.  56 

April  26,  1835.     Charles  Grant.     See  Square  Pew  No.  24,  in  Gallery. 

Dec.  21,  1844.  Charles  Edward  Grant,  b.  Aug.  26,  1814;  d.  Oct.  1, 
1903;  m.  Eliza  Ann  Hales  Bacon.  Succeeded  his  father  in  the 
paper  business.  Alderman  of  Roxbury.  Representative.  One  of  the 
Assessors  of  Boston.  ISIember  of  Mass.  Horticultural  Society.  Clerk 
of  the  Mount  Pleasant  (Unitarian)  chm-ch. 

April  3,  1852.  James  Tolman,  b.  Nov.  17,  1811;  d.  Dec.  16,  1868;  m. 
Elizabeth  Metcalf  Smith.  Merchant  tailor.  Member  of  the  Roxbury 
Common  Council.  President  of  the  Young  Men's  Benevolent  Society. 
Trustee  of  the  Mass.  Charitable  Mechanics  Assn.  Treasurer  of  the 
Children's  Aid  Society. 

March  24,  1864.     Charles  Mayo  Ellis,  see  Pew  No.  18,  Lower  Floor. 

Oct.  19,  1878.     Effie  Ellis,  dau.  of  Charles  Mayo  Ellis. 

Dec.  6,  1883.    Mary  E.  Bangs,  w.  of  WilUam  A.  Bangs. 

Nov.  12,  1887.    Isaac  P.  Gragg,  living. 

May  1,  1896.    Dr.  Sevanus  Bowen,  b.  Feb.  13,  1840;  d.  April  7,  1899. 


Physician. 


Long  Pew  No.  57 


April  22,  1835.     Charles  Grant,  see  Pew  No.  24,  in  Gallery. 

June  15,  1842.     Elijah  Vose,  b.  Jan.  1,  1790;    d.  Sept.  12,  1856;    m. 

Rebecca  Gorham  Bartlett.     Merchant.     State  Senator  Member  of  the 

Society  of  the  Cincinnati.     President  of  Mass.  Horticultural  Society^ 
Jan.  7,  1864.    Henry  Lefrelet  Daggett,  b.  Aug.  10,  1812;  d.  March  I, 

1882;    m.    Sarah  Eliza    Williams.     Shoe  and  Leather    Merchant  of 

Boston.     Member  of  the  Boston  Board  of  Trade. 
Feb.  20,  1866.     Franklin  Smith  Merrett,  b.  June  16,  1824;  d.  Jan.  13, 

1879.     Unmarried.     Leather  dealer.     Director  of  the  City  National 

Bank.     Member  of  the  Music  Committee. 
May  27,  1879.     ]\Lvry  Barker  Comins,  w.  of  Linus  Bacon  Comins. 
Nov.  11,  1887.     Frank  M.  Spragtje,  living. 
March  31,  1896.    Daniel  W.  Jones,  b.  Nov.  7,  1829;  d.  Nov.  27,  1898; 

m.  Emma  A.  Cleaves.     Schoolmaster  in  Roxbury. 
Jan.  1,  1904.     Samuel  Everett  Tinkham,  li^^ng. 


Long  Pew  No.  58 

June  13,  1837.    Nathaniel  Dorr,  see  Pew  No.  97,  Lower  Floor. 

April  12,  1851.     Joseph  Morrill,  Jr.,  b.  April  5,  1822;  d.  Nov.  23, 1893; 

m.   Helen   Brooks.    Manufacturer.     Member  of  Roxbury   Commoa 

Council. 


332  THE   FIFTH   MEETING   HOUSE 

Long  Pew  No.  59 

Aug.  26, 1835.    Capt.  William  Blanchaed, Senior,  see  Pew  No.  97,Lower 

Floor. 
Dec.  30,  1848.    Theodore  Otis,  b.  Dec.  15,  1810;  d.  July  11,  1873;  m. 

Harriet  Blanchard.     Lawyer.     Mayor  of  Roxbury.    Trustee  of  the 

Roxbury   Latin    School.     Member    of   the    Roxbury    School    Board. 

Representative. 
April  5,  1851.    Willl/uh  Rodman  Robeson,  b.  July  27,  1814;  d.  Nov.  7, 

1892;     m.    Anna    Rodman.     Cotton    Manufacturer.     Representative. 

1894.    Ajvna  R.  Robeson,  w.  of  William  Rodman  Robeson. 

Jan.  1,  1902.    Theodore  Melville  Plimpton,  living. 

Long  Pew  No.  60. 

April  22,  1835.     Ozl^  Field,  b.  Nov.  17,  1798;   d.  Jan.  6,  1866;   m. 

Charlotte  E.  Whiting.     Dry  goods  with  Joseph  D.  Gould. 
Feb.  24,  1866.    Ann  Isabel  Blanchaed,  see  Long  Pew  No.  55,  in  Gallery. 
Dec.  8,  1870.     John  Dean  Sturtevant,  b.  1818;   d.  July  5,  1893;   m. 

Adeline  D.  Bradley.    Manufacturer. 

Long  Pew  No.  61 

April  22,  1835.    Daniel  Andrew  Sigournet,  see  Pew  No.  38,  Lower 

Floor. 
Nov.  19,  1838.     Charles  Jefferson  Hendee,  b.  July  1,  1805;  d.  Aug.  2, 

1872;  m.  Adeline  Davis.     Member  of  the  firm  of  Carter,  Hendee  and 

Co.,  who  were  the  first  occupants  of  the  "Old  Comer  Bookstore,"  as 

booksellers,  from  1828  to  1833. 
June  3, 1844.     Willlam  Amory,  b.  June  15,  1804;  d.  Dec.  9,  1888;  m.  Anna 

Powell   Grant   Sears.     H.   C.    1823    (Rebellion   Class),   receiving  his 

degrees  in  1845.     Studied  law  but  did  not  practice.    Treasurer  of  the 

Amoskeag  Manufacturing  Co. 
Jan.  3,  1854.    Isaac  Pollard  Rand,  bap.  Dec.  1,  1816.    Marketman. 
Oct.  25,  1866.    Samuel  Parkaian  Dexter,  b.  June  13,  1824,  d.  Dec.  18, 

1885;    m.    Matilda    Campbell   Abbot.     Merchant.     Director    Revere 

National  Bank,  and  of  the  Vale  Mills. 

Long  Pew  No.  62 

April  22,  1835.    Isaac  Davis,  see  Pew  No.  8,  Lower  Floor. 
March  19,  1853.    Willlajm  S.  Messenger,  living. 
April  25,  1890.    Benjamin  P.  Cheney  Clapp,  living. 


PEW   OWNERS  333 


Long  Pew  No.  63 

Sept.  9,  1839.     James  H.  Champney,  see  Square  Pew  No.  3,  In  Gallery. 
Sept.  4,  1844.    Lot  Clark,  b.  July  25,  1796;  d.  Feb.  24,  1880;  m.  Mary 

Barnard  Eaton.     Commission  merchant. 
March  22,  1853.    Amos  Stevens,  see  Pew  No.  66,  Lower  Floor. 
Nov.  18,  1858.    William  Branbford  Shubrick  Gat,  b.  Dec.  13,  1820;  d. 

Sept.  16,   1901;  m.  Eliza  Kirkland  Dwight.     Dry  goods   commission 

merchant.     Afterwards  note  broker. 
Feb.  19,  1867.     Charles  Edward  Cook,  b.  Oct.  17,  1805;  d.  Sept.  23, 

1874;  m.  Elizabeth  White  Wells.     Member  of  Boston  City  Council. 

For  thirty  years    connected  with    public    charitable    institutions    of 

City   and   State,   including   Taunton   Hospital.     Representative   and 

President  of  the  State  Senate. 


Long  Pew  No.  64 

April  22,  1835.    Mrs.  Hannah  Robertson. 

Aug.  9,  1847.     Catherine  Haviland,  w.  of  Thomas  Philip  Haviland. 

May  4, 1848.  Joseph  Henry  Gardner,  d.  1884 ;  m.  (1)  Harriet  Robertson, 
(2)  Eliza .     Insurance  Broker. 

Aug.  30,  1855.  Henry  White,  b.  Nov.  25,  1797;  d.  Sept.  11,  1873;  m. 
Jane  Eliza  Williams.     Druggist. 

May  15,  1883.  George  Allen  Dary,  b.  Nov.  30,  1842;  d.  Dec.  30,  1905; 
m.  Elizabeth  Tuttle.  Lawyer  and  a  most  expert  and  reliable  con- 
veyancer. Founder  and  member  of  the  Abstract  Club.  Member 
of  the  Mass.  Title  Insurance  Co.  and  of  the  Conveyancers'  Title  Insur- 
ance Co.     Member  of  the  Music  Committee  and  Clerk  of  this  Society. 

Jan.  24,  1889.  Joseph  A.  Willard,  b.  Sept.  30,  1816;  d.  Aug.  14,  1904. 
Clerk  of  the  Superior  Court. 


Long  Pew  No.  65 

May  29,  1835.  Isaac  Harris  Gary,  b.  Nov.  3,  1803 ;  d.  May  22,  1881 ;  m. 
Phebe  Phillips  Pratt.  Wholesale  dealer  in  fancy  goods,  horn  and 
shell. 

Feb.  14,  1846.  William  James  Reynolds,  b.  Oct.  14,  1814;  d.  Jan.  17, 
1865;  m.  (1)  Martha  Pratt,  (2)  Harriet  E.  Wheelwright.  Book  pub- 
lisher.    Member  of  the  Roxbury  Common  Coimcil.     Representative. 

Jan.  25, 1861 .   Jonathan  Pratt  Robinson,  see  Square  Pew  No.  7,  in  Gallery, 

July  10,  1863.     J.  Henry  Sears,  living. 

Nov.  5,  1866.    Augustus  Parker,  see  Long  Pew  No.  69,  in  Gallery. 


334  THE   FIFTH    MEETING   HOUSE 

Feb.  12,  1883.     George  H.  Wyman,  b.  April  10,  1827;  d.  April  13,  1893. 

Bedding  supplies. 
April  13,  1896.    JNIatilda  Campbell  Dexter,  w.  of  Samuel  Parkman 

Dexter. 

Long  Pew  No.  66 

Sept.  16,  1835.    Thomas  Brewer,  see  Pew  No.  3,  Lower  Floor. 
Dec.  7,  1839.     Gardner  Brewer,  see  Pew  No.  3,  Lower  Floor. 
Dec.  3,  1849.    Nathaniel  P.  Lovering,  see  Pew  No.  11,  Lower  Floor. 

Long  Pew  JSo.  67 

June  25,  1839.  John  Eagan,  a  painter;  received  the  deed  of  this  pew  in 
part  payment  for  painting  fence  and  blinds  attached  to  the  Meeting 
House. 

July  12,  1839.  George  Read,  b.  July  — ,  1788;  d.  March  27,  1856.  Mer- 
chant.    Auctioneer  and  real  estate  agent. 

Aug.  22,  1844.    Francis  Curtis,  b. ,  1814;  d.  Aug.  12,  1882.     Mer-' 

chant. 

Dec.  4,  1846.  Joseph  Lewis  Stackpole,  b.  Dec.  28,  1808;  d.  July  20, 
1847;  m.  Susan  Margaret  Benjamin.     H.  C.  1824.     Lawyer. 

Dec.  1,  1887.    Nathaniel  Osgood  Whitcomb,  living. 

Long  Pew  No.  68 

Jan.  2,  1837.    Aaron  Child,  see  Square  Pew  No.  37,  in  Gallery. 
Nov.  19,  1844.     Joseph  Harrington,  see  Pew  No.  24,  Lower  Floor. 
May  31,  1853.     Nathan  Carruth  Cart,  b.  Nov.  4,  1814;  d.  May  7,  1900; 

m.  (1)  Frances  Taylor  Wilson,  (2)  Charlotte  Emeline  Burnette.     SoUci- 

tor  in  Probate. 
Feb.  8,  1862.    Leonard  C.  Bowles,  see  Pew.  No.  78,  Lower  Floor. 
Oct.  7,  1863.     Curtis  Guild,  living. 
March  17,  1871.    Henry  Prentice  Binnet,  b.  March  5,  1838;  d.  April 

17,  1878;  m.  Josephine  Hayward.     Merchant.     Trustee  of  estates. 

Lo7ig  Pew  No.  69 

April  22,  1835.     Benjamin  Franklin  Copeland,  see  Pew  No.  27,  Lower 

Floor. 
May  17,  1837.    George  Arthur  Simmons,  see  Long  Pew  No.  2,  in  Gallery. 
Feb.  25,  1846.    Willluh  Frederic  Freeman,  b.  July  31,  1817;  d.  Aug.  18, 

1888;  m.  Caroline  Crosby  Lewis.     Manufacturer  of  dye  stuffs  from 

imported  woods. 
March  27,  1848.     Samuel  Gore  Glover,  b.  Feb.  28,  1821;  d.  July  15, 

1856;  m.  Rebecca  Putnam  Page.     Merchant.    Trustee  of  estates. 


PEW   OWNERS  335 


March  13,  1856.  Augustus  Parker,  b.  Aug.  30,  1827;  d.  Feb.  27,  1901; 
m.  Mary  Elizabeth  Baker.  Farmer.  Member  of  the  Common  Coun- 
cil. Representative.  President  of  Franklin  Savings  Bank.  Overseer 
of  the  Poor. 

Nov.  15,  1866.    Edward  Belcher  Reynolds,  see  Deacons. 

Jan.  11,  1869.  Israel  Goodwin  Whitney,  b.  Jan.  30,  1831;  d.  Jan.  27, 
1901;  m.  Christiana  Kadie  Swan  Sargent.  East  India  merchant. 
Trustee  of  estate  of  John  A.  Bumham. 

April  13,  1883.    Samuel  T.  Crosby,  see  Long  Pew  No.  70,  in  Gallery. 

Jan.  6,  1898.    William  Hoag,  living. 

Long  Pew  No.  70 

April  22,  1835.    David  Dudley,  see  Pew  No.  45,  Lower  Floor. 

Sept.   24,    1842.     Samuel  Thompson   of  Roxbury;  m.   Rachel . 

Blacksmith. 
May  5,  1843.    Willluh  Rowland  Hicks,  b.  Feb.  27,  1801;  d.  May  17, 

1873;  m.  Sarah  Mackay.     Merchant. 
Dec.  15,  1847.    Andrew  Davis,  b.  June  15,  1814;  d.  June  1,  1872;  m. 

Ellen  Pearey.     Dealer  in  boots  and  shoes. 
May  5,  1853.    Samuel  T.  Crosby,  b.  1822;  d.  Dec.  24,  1907;  m.  Sarah  E. 

Lincoln.     Senior  member  of  the  firm  of  Crosby,  Morse  &  Foss. 

Jewellers.     Afterwards  Life  Insurance  Broker. 
Jan.  12,  1855.    Thomas  Simmons,  see  Pew  No.  17,  Lower  Floor. 
Oct.  30,  1855.    Frances  Cordis  Clarke,  w.  of  Manlius  Stimson  Qarke. 
Nov.  16,  1857.    Rebecca  Farnham,  w.  of  Putnam  Ingalls  Farnham. 


336  THE   FIFTH   MEETING   HOUSE 

MUSIC 

Li  the  early  days  of  the  church  the  music  was  wholly  supplied 
by  the  congregation.  Hymn  books  were  not  in  general  use 
and  the  number  of  tunes  was  limited.  Though  there  is  no 
mention  of  a  Precentor  in  the  records,  there  was  undoubtedly 
some  one  member  who  pitched  the  tunes,  and  led  the  singing, 
as  Judge  Sewall  did  for  many  years  in  the  Boston  church. 

The  Bay  Psalm  Book,  a  metrical  version  of  the  Psalms, 
was  the  first  hymn  book  used  as  far  as  we  know.  •  This  was 
the  joint  production  of  John  Eliot,  Thomas  Welde  and 
Richard  Mather,  and  was  published  in  Cambridge  in  1640. 
Rev.  Elias  Nason  describes  this  book  as  follows,  "Welde, 
Eliot  and  Mather  mounted  the  restive  steed  Pegasus,  Hebrew 
Psalter  in  hand,  and  trotted  in  hot  haste  over  the  rough  road 
of  Shemitic  roots  and  metrical  psalmody.  Other  divines  rode 
behind,  and  after  cutting  and  slashing,  mending  and  patch- 
ing, twisting  and  turning,  finally  produced  what  must  ever 
remain  the  most  unique  specimen  of  poetical  tinkering  in  our 
literature."  The  music  is  arranged  in  treble  and  base; 
directions  are  given  for  setting  the  tune  to  the  voice,  so  that 
one  may  sing  "without  squeking  above  or  grumbling  below." 

Rev.  Thomas  Shepard  of  Cambridge  wrote, 

"Ye  Roxbury  poets,  keep  clear  of  the  crime 
Of  missing  to  give  us  very  good  rhjTne; 
And  you  of  Dorchester,  your  verses  lengthen. 
But  with  the  text's  own  words  you  will  them  strengthen." 

Samuel  Sewall,  in  1718,  speaking  of  attending  a  private 
meeting  where  Mr.  Thomas  Walter  preached  and  there  was 
singing,  says  "  Sang  part  of  the  145th  Psahn  which  he  set  to 
Low  Dutch  very  well." 

In  1721  Rev.  Thomas  Walter,  who  excelled  in  the  science 
of  harmony,  being  grieved  beyond  measure,  and  annoyed 
at  the  very  indifferent  performances  in  the  sanctuary,  pub- 


MUSIC  337 

lished  a  neat  12  mo.  volume,  The  Grounds  and  Rules  of 
Music  Explained;  or  an  Introduction  to  the  Art  of  Singing 
by  Note,  Fitted  to  the  meanest  capacity.  Recommended  by 
several  Ministers.  "  Let  everything  that  hath  breath,  praise 
the  Lord."     Ps.  cl,  6. 

In  this  work  the  author  endeavored  to  show  that  singing 
was  reducible  to  the  rules  of  art,  and  that  he  who  made  him- 
self master  of  these  rules  would  be  able  at  first  sight  to  sing 
any  new  tune,  by  the  bare  inspection  of  the  notes.  He 
complains  that  "  for  a  want  of  a  standard  to  appeal  to  in  all 
our  singing,  our  tunes  are  left  to  the  mercy  of  every  unskilful 
throat,  to  chop  and  alter,  twist  and  change,  according  to 
their  infinitely  divers  and  no  less  odd  humors  and  fancies." 
And  of  the  singing  of  the  congregations,  "it  sounded  like 
five  hundred  different  tunes  roared  out  at  the  same  time," 
and  so  little  attention  was  paid  to  time,  that  they  were  often 
one  or  two  words  apart,  producing  noises  "so  hideous  and 
disorderly  as  is  bad  beyond  expression." 

The  manner  of  singing  also  had  become  so  tedious  and 
drawling,  that  he  goes  on  to  say,  "  I  myself  have  twice  in  one 
note  paused  to  take  breath."  The  preface  to  this  book, 
signed  by  fourteen  clergymen,  discourses  delectably,  and  in 
a  manner  equally  applicable  at  the  present  day.  "  We  would 
encourage  all,  more  particularly  our  young  people,  to  accom- 
plish themselves  with  skill  to  sing  the  songs  of  the  Lord, 
according  to  the  good  rules  of  psalmody;  hoping  that  the 
consequence  of  it  will  be  that  not  only  the  assemblies  of 
Zion  will  decently  and  in  order  carry  on  this  exercise  of  piety, 
but  also  it  will  be  the  more  introduced  into  private  families 
and  become  a  part  of  our  family  sacrifice.  At  the  same 
time,  we  would  above  all  expect  that  the  main  concern  of  all 
may  be  to  make  it  not  a  mere  bodily  exercise,  but  sing  with 
grace  in  their  hearts,  and  with  minds  attentive  to  the  truths 
in  the  psalms  which  they  sing,  and  affected  with  them,  so 


338  THE   FIFTH   MEETING   HOUSE 

that  in  their  hearts  they  may  make  a  melody  to  the  Lord." 
This  volume  was  the  first  wherein  the  music  was  printed  with 
bars  in  America.  The  tunes  were  composed  in  three  parts 
only.  Mr.  Hood  characterizes  the  harmony  as  being  "full 
rich  and  correct,  and  the  whole  style  purely  choral." 

In  1757  members  of  the  congregation  wrote  the  following 
letter  to  the  Pastor,  Rev.  Mr.  Amos  Adams. 

Rev.  S"^ 

The  New  England  Version  of  the  Psahns,  however  usefull  it  may  form- 
erly have  been,  is  now  become  through  the  natural  variableness  of  Lan- 
guage, not  only  very  uncouth,  but  in  many  Places  mirntelligible ;  whereby 
the  mind  instead  of  being  Raised  and  spirited  in  singing  The  Praises  of 
Almighty  God,  and  thereby  better  prepared  to  attend  the  other  Parts  of 
Divine  Service,  is  Damped  and  made  spiritless  in  the  Performance  of  the 
Duty;  at  least  such  is  the  Tendency  of  the  use  of  That  version,  and  it 
being  the  Duty  of  Christians  to  make  use  of  the  Best  helps  for  the  right  & 
acceptable  performance  of  Divine  Worship  and  as  in  Regard  to  Psalm 
singing  there  are  several  versions  of  the  Psalms  much  preferable  to  that 
Before  mentioned  especially  the  version  Made  by  Tate  &  Brady,  which 
has  been  lately  Rec*^  by  Divers  of  the  Neighbouring  Churches  in  the  Room 
of  the  New  England  version. 

We  the  subscribers  (a  number  of  your  Parish)  hereby  Express  our 
inclination  and  desire,  that  you  would  propose  to  the  Church  and  Congre- 
gation under  Yom*  Care  (in  such  manner  as  you  Think  sutable)  the  intro- 
duction among  them  of  the  last  Mentioned  version:  and  we  would  recom- 
mend that  Edition  (lately  Published)  to  which  is  annexed  a  number  of 
Hymns,  suited  to  sacramental  Occasions. 

We  are  with  Great  Esteem 

S''  Your  Most  Humble  Servants 

James  Bowdoin.  Benjamin  IVIay. 

Ebenezer  Dorr.  Ebenezer  IVIay. 

Sam^I  Stevens.  Isaac  Winslow.. 

Sam'^  Gridley.  Joseph  Cxirtiss. 

James  Mears.  Ebenezer  Newell. 

Sam^'  Williams.  John  Williams. 

Jonathan  Hall.  Joseph  Williams. 

William  Bosson.  Eben*"  Pierpont. 

Noah  Perrin.  William  Gridley. 

James  Mears,  jun"".         John  Pierpont. 

Benjamin  Williams.        William  Pierpont. 

Joseph  Weld.  WiLLLiM  Heath. 


MUSIC  339 

To  THE  Rev^  Mr.  Adams. 

The  within  is  a  True  Copy  of  a  letter  Communicated  to  the  first  Congre- 
gation in  Roxbury  on  Sept.  11,  1757,  and  agreeable  to  the  Desire  therein 
Expressed  it  was  proposed  by  the  Paster  to  the  Congregation  that  they 
Take  this  version  into  Consideration  for  a  considerable  Time  at  least  six 
or  seven  weeks,  and  it  was  Recommended  to  them  to  Read  and  acquaint 
themselves  with  this  version,  and  if  after  having  Carefully  Read  &  Con- 
sidered this  version  any  find  Cause  to  object  against  it  the  Pastor  Desires 
that  he  may  be  Timely  informed  of  it. 

Attest 

Amos  Adams. 

July  9,  1758.  The  Congregation  Tarried  after  the  Bless- 
ing and  the  above  letter  was  again  read,  and  now  at  the 
motion  of  two  gentlemen  of  the  Congregation  (none  objecting 
to  the  motion)  the  Question  was  put  by  the  Pastor  "  Whether 
it  be  the  minds  of  the  Congregation  to  lay  aside  the  New 
England  Version  of  Psalms  and  in  the  Room  thereof  to  use 
henceforth  the  version  of  Tate  &  Brady  with  a  collection  of 
Hymns  Chiefly  from  Dr.  Watts  which  are  now  used  by  some 
of  the  Neighboring  Congregations,",  and  it  passed  in  the 
afiirmative. 

Ebenezer  Fox,  a  Roxbury  lad,  has  furnished  this  reminis- 
cence of  the  music  of  this  old  meeting  house  in  1775.  "  Deacon 
Crafts  used  to  read  aloud  one  verse  at  a  time  of  the  psalm  or 
hymn,  which  the  choir  would  sing,  and  then  wait  till  he  had 
read  another.  Hymn  books  were  not  in  general  use;  they 
were,  some  time  after,  in  the  pews  of  the  wealthy.  At  a 
subsequent  period  fuguing  tunes  were  introduced  and  they 
produced  a  literally  fuguing  effect  upon  the  elder  people,  the 
greater  part  of  whom  went  out  of  church  as  soon  as  the  first 
verse  was  sung."  After  a  while  the  bass  viol  was  introduced, 
much  to  the  scandal  of  the  elders,  who  dubbed  it  the  "  devil's 
fiddle,"  while  the  choir  called  it  the  "Lord's  fiddle."  Fox 
continues,  "  I  well  remember  the  first  Sabbath  that  the  bass 
viol  was  used,  as  an  accompaniment  to  the  singing.     The 


340  THE   FIFTH   MEETING   HOUSE 

old  pious  people  were  horror  struck  at  what  they  considered 
a  sacrilegious  innovation,  and  went  out  of  meeting  in  high 
dudgeon.  One  old  church  member  stood  at  the  church  door 
and  showed  his  contempt  for  the  music  by  making  a  sort  of 
caterwauling  noise,  which  he  called  'mocking  the  banjo.' 
A  meeting  of  the  '  pillars  of  the  church '  took  place,  but  into 
it  managed  to  creep  some  young  and  frisky  laymen,  and  for 
a  time  things  were  rather  lively,  and  Dr.  Emmons,  who  was 
then  temporarily  filling  the  pulpit,  had  hard  work  to  preserve 
order.  He  finally  succeeded  in  making  himself  heard. 
'Show  me,'  he  said,  'a  single  instance  in  the  Bible  where 
they  use  the  obnoxious  instrument  and  I  am  content.' 
'But  they  used  other  stringed  instruments,'  said  a  layman. 
'That  has  nothing  to  do  with  it.  My  question  is,  do  they 
ever  speak  of  the  bass  viol  in  the  book.?  Answer  me.' 
Silence  reigned.  'No,'  continued  the  doctor,  'they  do  not. 
And  do  you  think  the  Almighty  and  his  angels  would  put  up 
with  such  squeaky  noises  "^  Do  you  think  that  they  cannot 
tell  good  and  pious  music,  that  you  try  to  inflict  them  with 
discord  and  inharmonious  tunes  }  Mark  me,  those  of  you 
who  continue  to  sing  to  the  "devil's  fiddle"  will  never  have 
a  chance  to  sing  to  the  sublime  sounds  of  the  harp  and  the 
lute.  But  I  have  said  that  the  Almighty  abominated  such 
noises,  and  so  do  I,  and  I  will  never  read  God's  Word  in  a 
meeting  house  where  the  choir  sing  in  unison  with  an  inven- 
tion of  the  devil.'  "     And  he  never  did. 

What  two  prominent  members  thought  of  the  use  of  the 
bass  viol  may  best  be  told  in  their  own  words.  Deacon 
Felton  in  his  Records  says,  "July  27,  1788,  was  introduced 
that  unmeaning  lifeless  sound  upon  a  Bass  Viol,  as  a  part  of 
Divine  worship  in  the  First  church  of  Christ  in  Roxbury,  the 
manner  of  its  introduction  was  simply  this,  it  was  ask'd  the 
Church  by  their  Rev.  Pastor  whether  they  were  willing  the 


MUSIC  341 

Viol  should  be  made  use  of  in  their  worship  on  the  sabbath 
day,  upon  which  one  of  the  Church  rose  and  said  if  there 
was  any  one  had  any  objection  to  make,  why  it  should  not, 
he  wish'd  they  would  make  it  for  his  part  he  said  he  had  none. 
But  no  vote  of  the  Church  was  taken  upon  the  subject.  And 
Thus  (in  my  weak  opinion)  relapses  a  pure  primitive  Church 
of  Christ  of  One  Hundred  and  Fifty  years  standing  into  error 
and  vain  glory.     From  which  the  good  Lord  Deliver  us." 

William  Heath  writes  to  Rev.  Mr.  Eliphalet  Porter  under 
date  of  Aug.  4,  1788,  as  follows :  — 

"Instrumental  musick  was  yesterday  introduced  into 
divine  worship  in  the  meeting  house  of  the  First  Church  and 
Congregation  of  this  town,  and  altho  for  myself  I  am  fully 
of  opinion  that  the  use  of  instrumental  musick  in  divine 
worship  may  be  vindicated  both  from  Scripture  and  reason, 
yet  I  conceive  that  for  obvious  reasons  it  ought  not  to  be 
introduced  without  the  consent  and  approbation  of  the 
Church.  As  I  have  not  heard  that  either  have  been  requested 
or  obtained,  I  cannot  refrain  from  addressing  you  on  the 
subject.  If  the  young  gentlemen,  who  favor  the  Congrega- 
tion by  leading  the  singing,  introduced  instrumental  musick 
of  their  own  motion,  I  think  it  was  going  too  far  and  invading 
the  rights  of  the  Church.  Nor  can  I  persuade  myseK  to 
believe  that  any  individuals  would  advise  to  the  measure 
untill  the  sense  of  the  Church  was  known,  as  this  would  be 
arrogating  to  themselves  a  power  which  I  presume  no  indi- 
viduals have  a  right  to  exercise  in  the  Church.  Permit  me 
therefore,  to  request  (for  the  satisfaction  of  my  own  mind) 
to  be  informed  how  and  in  what  manner  the  introduction 
took  place.  While  it  is  my  ardent  desire  not  only  to  join, 
but  also  to  encourage  everything  which  may  tend  to  the 
furtherance  of  publick  devotion,  I  wish  to  see  everything 
conducted  decently  and  in  order." 


342  THE   FIFTH    MEETING   HOUSE" 

Notwithstanding  the  protests  of  several  members,  musical 
instruments  were  used  to  assist  the  singers,  down  to  the  time 
of  the  building  of  the  first  organ  in  1821.  The  only  ones 
mentioned  are  a  bass  viol  and  a  clarionet.  They  were  all 
sold  when  the  organ  was  built. 

Near  the  close  of  the  eighteenth  century  the  hymn  book 
used  was  "Psalms  and  Hymns,"  by  Rev.  Jeremy  Bellaiap, 
D.D.,  this  being  substituted  for  the  Tate  and  Brady  collection. 

It  having  been  the  anxious  wish  of  many  individuals  in 
the  Parish  to  have  an  organ  procured  to  aid  in  the  services 
of  Publick  Worship,  Messrs,  Nathaniel  Dorr,  John  Doggett 
and  Joseph  Harrington  took  upon  themselves  the  very 
arduous  task  of  procuring  by  subscription  the  means  of 
purchasing  such  an  instrument.  After  having  obtained 
about  $1250,  a  meeting  of  the  subscribers  was  called  on  the 
evening  of  the  IS^ii  December,  1820,  at  the  Town  House.  At 
this  meeting,  Jonathan  Dorr,  Esq.,  was  chosen  moderator  and 
John  Lemist  was  chosen  Secretary. 

After  discussing  the  objects  of  the  meeting,  it  was  voted 
to  petition  the  Parish  Committee  to  warn  the  members  of 
the  Parish  to  meet  at  the  meeting  house  on  Friday,  Dec.  22, 
1820,  at  2  o'clock  p.m.,  to  take  into  consideration  whether  the 
Parish  will  accept  an  organ  and  have  the  same  erected  for 
the  use  of  the  Parish  in  said  House.  A  petition  was  then 
introduced  by  Joseph  Harrington,  Esq.,  for  that  purpose,  and 
after  being  duly  signed  was  presented  to  the  Parish  Com- 
mittee. At  the  same  time  a  committee,  consisting  of  Jonathan 
Dorr,  Isaac  Davis,  William  Blaney,  John  Doggett,  Joseph 
Harrington,  John  Lemist,  Peter  G.  Robbins,  John  Champ- 
ney,  Jacob  Allen,  was  chosen  to  carry  the  objects  of  the  sub- 
scribers into  complete  effect.  The  Parish,  having  accepted 
the  offer  of  an  organ.  Dr.  Robbins  was  made  Treasurer  of 
the  fund,  and  a  sub-committee,  consisting  of  William  Blaney, 


MUSIC 


343 


Joseph  Harrington,  Isaac  Davis,  and  John  Champney  con- 
tracted ^ith  Mr.  Appleton  to  build  an  organ,  and  after  its 
completion  presented  it  to  the  Parish  in  behalf  of  the  sub- 
scribers, who  at  last  had  the  satisfaction  of  seeing  an  organ 
erected  much  superior  to  what  were  their  most  sanguine 
hopes  at  the  commencement  of  their  exertions,  and  under 
the  impression  that  the  Parish  would,  from  time  to  time, 
grant  such  liberal  support  as  would  command  a  person  of 
talents  whose  performances  would  excite  in  us  that  pure 
and  holy  spirit  of  devotion  which  is  due  to  the  Great  Author 
and  Disposer  of  all  things. 

The  subscribers  were  as  follows :  — 


Jonathan  Dorr  . 
John  Lemist   .    . 
Peter  G.  Bobbins 
John  Parker   .    . 
Nathaniel  Snow 
Thomas  Williams 
Nehemiah  Munroe 
Eben.  Crafts  .    . 
Isaac  Davis     .    . 
Sam'l  Wait      .    . 
Tho.  Robinson  . 
Jno.  Champney 
Eben.  Francis     . 
Elijah  Vose  Jr.  . 
W°i.  Lambert     . 
Joseph  Williams 
Stedman  Williams 
A.  D.  Williams  . 
Moses  Davas  .    . 
W°i.  C.  Hunneman 
Sam'l  Doggett    . 
W™.  H.  Spooner 
Chenery  Clark    . 
Misses  Waite  .    . 
William  Eustis   . 
John  W.  Child  . 
Benj.  Meriam    . 


$110.00  William  Blaney $30.00 

110.00  Samuel  Guild 40.00 

115.00  Louisa  Williams 5.00 

100.00  Lewis  Withington    ....  3.00 

20.00  Asa  Bugbee 5.00 

50.00  Ezra  Morse 5.00 

38.00  Aaron  Willard 10.00 

30.00  Sam'l  Langley 15.00 

70.00  James  Riley 5.00 

50.00  Martha  Ruggles 10.00 

25.00  Benj.  Weld 35.00 

30.00  Joseph  Ward 8.00 

25.00  John  Doggett 70.00 

10.00  Joseph  Harrington  .    ...  30.00 

15.00  Nathl  Dorr 32.00 

10.00  Jon^  Hunnewell 30.00 

20.00  Friends 6.00 

35.00  Edmund  Mimroe    ....  25.00 

10.00  Joseph  H.  Hawes    ....  7.00 

20.00  Isaac  Rand 3.00 

25.00  Tho.  Lillie 10.00 

10.00  David  Baker 10.00 

15.00  Ebenr  Bugbee 5.00 

4.00  John  Lowell 25.00 

10.00  Charles  Davis 50.00 

5.00  Elijah  Lewis 10.00 

3.00  Eliza  Brewer 5.00 


344 


THE   FIFTH   MEETING   HOUSE 


William  Langley 
W^.  Blanchard 
Jon*.  A.  Richards 
W^.  Blanchard 
W™.  Pratt  .    . 
Sam'l  Sumner 
William  Patten 
Susan  Davis    . 
Jos.  Hastings  . 
Guy  Carlton  . 
Abigail  Meriam 
Andrew  Robertson 
Francis  Dana 
John  Whittemore 
James  Adams.    . 
D.  A.  Simmons  . 
John  C.  Estabrook 
Sherman  Leland 
Eliphalet  Porter 
Abigail  Seaver    . 
Stephen  S.  Davis 


$5.00  Charles  Fox $3.00 

20.00  NatW  Magoon 2.00 

10.00  John  Clap 3.00 

15.00  Benj.  B.  Curtis 3.00 

10.00  Thos.  K.  Jones 20.00 

10.00  John  Williams 5.00 

25.00  John  A.  Lowell 10.00 

10.00  Asa  Whitney 10.00 

3.00  Dan'lWild 5.00 

5.00  Austin  &  Fowle  .    ....  15.00 

15.00  Jacob  Allen 10.00 

3.00  Mrs.  Williams 5.00 

2.00  N.D.Williams 15.00 

2.00  Amos  Smith 5.00 

3.00  Z.B.Adams 10.00 

10.00  Daniel  Saimderson .    ...  15.00 

4.00  W^.  Dore 5.00 

10.00  Mary  Williams 5.00 

35.00  Cap.  Cazneau 2.00 

10.00  Thos.  W.  Scott 2.00 

5.00 


Total  amount  of  subscriptions  was  $1816.  The  organ 
cost  $1800  agreeably  to  contract  and  was  finished  in  Nov. 
1821.  Mr.  Taylor  was  paid  $25  for  playing  on  it  and  other 
services. 

In  1849  it  was  found  necessary  to  put  the  organ  in  complete 
repair,  $600  being  raised  by  subscription  for  that  purpose. 
The  following  year,  however,  members  of  the  congregation 
subscribed  for  a  new  organ. 

In  May,  1822,  it  was  determined  to  engage  Miss  Emma 
Dillaway  as  organist  for  the  term  of  six  months  from  the 
13tii  of  May,  as  for  the  previous  six  months  she  had  gener- 
ously given  her  services,  and  to  allow  her  pay  during  that 
time  at  the  rate  of  one  hundred  and  fifty  dollars  per  year. 
She  was  discharged  Nov.  13,  1822,  and  Mr.  Joseph  Wilson 
appointed  organist  began  his  duties  Nov.  17,  1822,  and 
continued  to  serve  until  April,  1825.     He  was  followed  by 


MUSIC  345 

K.  B.  Stratford  in  1825  and  1826.  Geo.  W.  Hewitt,  1827; 
Geo.  O.  Farmer  1828  and  1829;  Asa  Fillebrown,  1830  to 
1836;  John  N.  Pierce,  1837;  George  O.  Farmer,  1838  to 
1848.  About  1830  the  Hymn  Book  used  was  "A  collection 
of  Psalms  and  Hymns,"  by  Rev.  Dr.  Francis  W.  P.  Green- 
wood and  this  continued  to  be  used  until  1877,  when  it  was 
succeeded  by  the  Hymn  and  Tune  Book,  published  by  the 
American  Unitarian  Association,  in  use  at  the  present  time. 

The  vocal  part  of  the  music  had,  since  its  beginning  in 
the  latter  part  of  the  eighteenth  century,  been  rendered 
entirely  by  volunteers,  and  the  first  time  the  choristers  were 
mentioned  by  name,  for  the  purpose  of  leading,  was  when 
Jonathan  Harrington  was  chosen  in  1811.  He  was  followed 
by  Benjamin  Baker  Davis  in  1816,  William  K.  Phipps  in 
1816,  James  G.  Loring  in  1820,  John  Willard  in  1820,  John 
Fuller  in  1822,  Joseph  W.  Tucker  in  1827,  Isaac  Cham- 
berlain from  Jan.  1,  1829,  to  Jan.  1,  1850. 

The  first  paid  singers  were  Mrs.  Sophia  M.  Blendell, 
soprano,  and  Miss  Elizabeth  Clap  Rumrill,  alto,  who  entered 
the  choir  in  1827,  and  toward  their  salaries  twelve  members 
of  the  Society  agreed  to  pay  $31.50.  Mrs.  Blendell  served 
until  1834,  being  followed  by  Mrs.  E.  A.  Hildreth,  1835  and 
1836;  Miss  Louisa  Corporal,  1837;  Miss  Bugbee,  1838;  Miss 
Susan  Wilde  Hunt,  1839  to  1843;  Miss  Rose,  1844.  Miss 
Rumrill  served  until  1837,  being  followed  by  Mrs.  Louisa  A. 
Egan,  1838;  Miss  Myra  Hunt,  1839  and  1840;  Miss  S.  C. 
Jones,  1841;  Miss  Susan  J.  M.  Jones,  1841;  Miss  H.  L. 
Shepard,  1843  and  1844.  The  only  men  mentioned  in  the 
same  period,  beside  Mr.  Chamberlain,  were  Mr.  Levi  W. 
Slack  in  1830,  John  Bartlett  in  1835,  Samuel  Ames,  1836, 
Samuel  Guild,  1838.  There  were  no  choirs  between  the 
latter  part  of  1844  to  1848  with  the  exception  of  the  chorister 
and  organist,  and  the  voluntary  system  of  music  was  intro- 


346 


THE   FIFTH    MEETING    HOUSE 


duced  as  then  practiced  in  some  of  the  Congregational 
churches.  About  this  time  the  Committee  recommended  a 
large  choir  and  a  more  efficient  one,  and  it  was  hoped  that 
some  of  the  congregation  who  were  competent  would  volun- 
teer their  assistance.  Since  1849  the  choirs  have  been  full, 
and  among  the  names  may  be  found  many  who  in  after  years 
attained   a  high   reputation   as   singers,   the   lists   being   as 

follows :  — 

1849  1850 

Organist  .  Adolph  Baumbach.  Adolph  Baumbach. 

Soprano   .   Mary  Ann  Forau.  Mary  Ann  Forau. 

Alto  .    .    .   Miss  L.  A.  Grossman.  Miss  L.  A.  Grossman. 

Tenor  .    .  Isaac  Ghamberlain.  Benjamin  Butler. 

Bass     .    .  Loring  B.  Barnes.  Loring  B.  Barnes. 


1851 
Organist  .  Adolph  Bamnbach. 
Soprano   .  Mrs.  George  B.  Fowle. 
Alto  .    .    .   Miss  Sarah  Gushing. 
Tenor  .    .   John  H.  Low. 
Bass     .   .  David  A.  Granger. 

1853 
Organist  .  Adolph  Baumbach. 
Soprano   .   IVIrs.  George  B.  Fowle. 
Alto  .    .    .   Miss  Sarah  Gushing. 
Tenor  .    .   John  H.  Low. 
Bass     .    .   Thomas  A.  Upham. 

1855 
Organist  .   Adolph  Bamnbach. 
Soprano   .   Mrs.  Ellen  Fowle. 
Alto  .    .    .   Miss  Sarah  Gushing. 
Tenor  .    .   John  H.  Low. 
Bass     .    .  Thomas  A.  Upham. 

1857 
Organist   .   Adolph  Baumbach 
Soprano   .   Mrs.  Lizzie  Hayward. 
Alto  .    .    .   Mrs.  Julia  Meston. 
Tenor  .    .   John  B.  Thayer. 
Ba«      .    .  George  Wright. 


.      1852 
Adolph  Bamnbach. 
Mrs.  George  B.  Fowle. 
Miss  Sarah  Gushing. 
John  H.  Low. 
David  A.  Granger. 

1854 
Adolph  Bamnbach. 
Mrs.  George  B.  Fowle. 
Miss  Sarah  Gushing. 
John  H.  Low. 
Thomas  A.  Upham. 

1856 
Adolph  Baumbach. 
Mrs.  Ellen  Fowle. 
IVIiss  Sarah  Gushing. 
John  H.  Low. 
Thomas  A.  Upham. 

1858 
Adolph  Bamnbach. 
Mrs.  Lizzie  Hayward. 
Mrs.  Julia  Meston. 
John  H.  Low. 
George  Wright. 


MUSIC 

347 

1859 

1860 

Organist 

.  Adolph  Baumbach. 

Adolph  Baumbach. 

Soprano 

.   IVIrs.  Ellen  Fowle. 

Miss  Addie  Ryan. 

Alto  .    . 

.   Mrs.  Julia  Meston. 

Mrs.  Juha  Meston. 

Tenor  . 

.   John  H.  Low. 

John  H.  Low. 

Bass     . 

.  Charles  E.  Pickett. 

Charles  E.  Pickett. 

1861 

1862 

Organist 

.   Adolph  Baumbach. 

Henry  W.  Edes. 

Soprano 

.   IVIiss  Addie  Ryan. 

Alto  .    . 

.   Mrs.  JuUa  Meston. 

Mrs.  Juha  Meston. 

Tenor  . 

.   John  H.  Low. 

John  H.  Low. 

Bass     . 

.  Charles  E.  Pickett. 

Charles  E.  Pickett. 

1863 

1864 

Organist 

.  Henry  W.  Edes. 

Henry  W.  Edes. 

Soprano 

. Cook. 

Cook. 

Alto  .    .    , 

.   Mrs.  Juha  Meston. 

Mrs.  Juha  Meston. 

Tenor  .    . 

.   John  H.  Low. 

Bass     .   , 

1865 

1866 

Organist  . 

Henry  W.  Edes. 

Henshaw  Smith. 

Soprano  . 

Mrs.  Ellen  Fowle. 

Miss  Sarah  Barton. 

Alto  .    .    . 

Sarah  Shattuck. 

Miss  Juha  Barden. 

Tenor  .   . 

Wilham  F.  McDonald. 

Bass     .   . 

Henry  C.  Barnabee. 

1867 

1868 

Organist  . 

Henshaw  Smith. 

Frank  F.  Tingley. 

Soprano   . 

Miss  Sarah  Barton. 

Miss  Sarah  Barton. 

Alto  .    .    . 

Miss  Matilda  Phillips. 

Mrs.  Harriet  L.  Guilmette. 

Tenor  .    . 

William  F.  McDonald. 

Edward  Prescott. 

Bass.    .    . 

Henry  C.  Barnabee. 

Dr.  Charles  A.  Guilmette. 

1869 

1870 

Organist  . 

Charles  Smith. 

Charles  Smith. 

Soprano   . 

Miss  Sarah  Barton. 

Miss  Vera  Cross. 

Alto  .    .    . 

Mrs.  Harriet  L.  Guilmette. 

Miss  Helen  M.  Mead. 

Tenor  .    . 

Edward  Prescott. 

M.  L.  Ingalls. 

Bass     .   . 

Dr.  Charles  A.  Guilmette. 

G.  W.  Dudley. 

348 


THE   FIFTH    MEETING   HOUSE 


1871 

1872 

Organist  , 

,   Charles  Smith. 

Miss  Caroline  E.  Symonds. 

Soprano   . 

.   IVIiss  Vera  Cross. 

Miss  Vera  Cross. 

Alto  .    .    . 

.  Miss  Helen  M.  Mead. 

Miss  A.  Franklin. 

Tenor  .    , 

,   M.  L.  Ingalls. 

M.  L.  Ingalls. 

Bass     .   . 

,  G.W.Dudley. 

G.  W.  Dudley. 

1873 

1874 

Organist  , 

,  Miss  Caroline  E.  Symonds. 

Miss  Caroline  E.  Symonds. 

Soprano  . 

,   IVIiss  Annie  L.  Harmon. 

Miss  Annie  L.  Harmon. 

Alto  .   .    . 

,  Miss  Anna  C.  Holbrook. 

Miss  Anna  C.  Holbrook. 

Tenor  .    . 

,   M.  L.  Ingalls. 

M.  L.  Ingalls. 

Bass     .    . 

G.  W.  Dudley. 

G.  W.  Dudley. 

1875 

1876 

Organist  . 

Charles  R.  Ford. 

Charles  R.  Ford. 

Soprano   . 

IVIrs.  George  K.  Hooper. 

Mrs.  George  K.  Hooper. 

Alto  .    .    . 

Miss  Anna  C.  Holbrook. 

Mrs.  Frank  Goodwin. 

Tenor  .    . 

John  Henry  Stickney. 

John  Henry  Stickney. 

Bass     .   . 

Dr.  Charles  W.  Goddard. 

Dr.  Charles  W.  Goddard. 

1877 

1878 

Organist  . 

Charles  R.  Ford. 

Charles  R.  Ford. 

Soprano   . 

Mrs.  George  K.  Hooper. 

Lilian  Norton. 

Alto  .    .    . 

Miss  Emma  Hathaway. 

Mrs.  Flora  E.  Barry. 

Tenor  .    . 

John  Henry  Stickney. 

John  Henry  Stickney. 

Bass     .    . 

David  Marks  Babcock. 

David  Marks  Babcock. 

1879 

1880 

Organist  . 

John  A.  Howard. 

John  A.  Howard. 

Soprano   . 

.   Mrs.  Marie  Stone  McDonald. 

Miss  Vinnie  H.  Maynard. 

Alto  .    .   . 

,   Mrs.  Flora  E.  Barry. 

Mrs.  Jennie  B.  Wadleigh. 

Tenor  .    , 

,  W.  H.  Wadleigh. 

W.  H.  Wadleigh. 

Bass     .    , 

.  David  Marks  Babcock. 

David  Marks  Babcock. 

1881 
Organist  .   John  A.  Howard. 
Soprano   .   Mrs.  M.  E.  Gibson. 
Alto  .    .    .   IVIrs.  Jennie  B.  Wadleigh. 
Tenor  .    .   Samuel  M.  King. 
Bass     .   .  Frank  H.  Hathorne. 


1882 
John  A.  Howard. 
Miss  Etta  J.  Allen. 
Miss  H.  Idel  Miles. 
Samuel  M.  King. 
Walter  A.  Adams. 


MUSIC 

349 

1883 

1884 

Organist  , 

.   Charles  R.  Ford. 

Charles  R.  Ford. 

Soprano  , 

,  Mrs.  Leonora  Chamberlain 
Simmons. 

Miss  Etta  Kileski. 

Alto  .    .    . 

,   Mrs.  Agnes  Giles  Spring. 

Mrs.  Agnes  Giles  Spring. 

Tenor  .    , 

,   Samuel  M.  King. 

Samuel  M.  King. 

Bass     .   , 

,   G.  L.  Obey. 

Arthur  W.  Thayer. 

1885 

1886 

Organist  , 

,   Charles  R.  Ford. 

William  Prese. 

Soprano   , 

.  Miss  Etta  Kjleski. 

Miss  Maud  Starkweather. 

^^to  .    .    . 

.  Mrs.  Agnes  Giles  Spring. 

Mrs.  Agnes  Giles  Spring. 

Tenor  .    , 

,   Samuel  M.  King. 

Samuel  M.  King. 

Bass     .   , 

.  Arthur  W.  Thayer. 

Arthur  W.  Thayer. 

1887 

1888 

Organist  . 

.   Frank  O.  Nash. 

Frank  O.  Nash. 

Soprano   . 

,  Miss  Maud  Starkweather. 

rMrs.  Lillian  R.  Hayman. 
iMiss  Alice  May  Bates. 

^Zto  .    .    . 

,  Mrs.  Agnes  Giles  Spring. 

Mrs.  Agnes  Giles  Spring. 

Tenor  .    . 

,   Samuel  M.  King. 

Samuel  M.  King. 

Bass     .   . 

,   Arthur  W.  Thayer. 

Arthur  W.  Thayer. 

1889 

1890 

Organist  , 

,  Philip  Hale. 

Philip  Hale. 

Soprano   . 

,   Miss  Minnehaha  ScoflSeld. 

IVIrs.  Edlefson. 

Alto  .    .    . 

,   Miss  Georgie  M.  Wiggins. 

Miss  Whiting. 

Tenor  .    . 

,  Thomas  Came. 

MerriU. 

Bass     .    . 

,  Walter  H.  Edgerly. 

Walter  H.  Edgerly. 

1891 

1892 

Organist  . 

Philip  Hale. 

Philip  Hale. 

Soprano   . 

Helen  M.  Young. 

Mrs.  Lilian  Atkinson. 

Alto  .    .    . 

Maud  Wilson. 

Mrs.  Joseph  W.  Homer. 

Tenor  .    , 

Thomas  E.  Johnson. 

Thomas  E.  Johnson. 

Bass     .    . 

Walter  H.  Edgerly. 

Walter  H.  Edgerly. 

1893 

1894 

Organist  . 

Philip  Hale. 

Philip  Hale. 

Soprano   . 

Maud  Williams. 

Miss  Carolyn  H.  Parish. 

Alto  .    .    . 

Miss  Edith  MacGregor. 

Miss  Edith  MacGregor. 

Tenor  .   . 

Thomas  E.  Johnson. 

Robert  T.  Hall. 

Bass     .   . 

Walter  H.  Edgerly. 

Walter  H.  Edgerly. 

350 


THE   FIFTH    MEETING   HOUSE 


1895 

1896 

Organist 

.   Philip  Hale. 

Philip  Hale. 

Soprano 

.   Miss  Carolyn  H.  Parish. 

Miss  Carolyn  H.  Parish. 

Alto  .    . 

.   Miss  Edith  MacGregor. 

Mrs.  Edith  M.  Woods. 

Tenor  .  . 

Robert  T.  Hall. 

Archie  MacDonald. 

Bass 

.   Walter  H.  Edgerly. 

Charles  H.  Bennett. 

1897 

1898 

Organist  , 

,  Philip  Hale. 

Philip  Hale. 

Soprano  . 

,   Miss  Carolyn  H.  Parish. 

Miss  Gertrude  Miller. 

Alto  .    .    , 

,   Mrs.  Edith  M.  Woods. 

Mrs.  Edith  M.  Woods. 

Tenor  .    . 

,   Frederick  W.  Bancroft. 

Frederick  W.  Bancroft. 

Bass     .    . 

,   Charles  H.  Bennett. 

Charles  H.  Bennett. 

1899 

1900 

Organist  . 

Philip  Hale. 

Philip  Hale. 

Soprano   . 

Miss  Gertrude  Miller. 

Miss  Lottie  M.  Mackay. 

Alto  .    .    . 

Mrs.  Edith  M.  Woods. 

Mrs.  Edith  M.  Woods. 

Tenor  .    . 

Frederick  W.  Bancroft. 

Louis  E.  Black. 

Bass     .   , 

Frederick  E.  Kendall. 

Frederick  E.  Kendall. 

1901 

1902 

Organist  . 

Philip  Hale. 

Philip  Hale. 

Soprano  . 

Mrs.  Blanche  M.  West. 

Miss  Clara  Sexton. 

Alto  .    .   . 

Mrs.  Edith  M.  Woods. 

Mrs.  Edith  M.  Woods. 

Tenor  .   . 

Louis  E.  Black. 

Louis  E.  Black. 

Bass     .   . 

Frederick  E.  KendaU. 

Frederick  E.  Kendall. 

1903 

1904 

Organist  . 

Philip  Hale. 

Philip  Hale. 

Soprano   . 

Miss  Clara  Sexton. 

Miss  Laura  Van  Kuran. 

Alto  .    .    . 

Mrs.  Edith  M.  Woods. 

Miss  Edith  Castle. 

Tenor  .    . 

Louis  E.  Black. 

Joseph  Viau. 

Bass     .    . 

Frederick  E.  Kendall. 

Frederick  E.  Kendall. 

There  is  no  record  of  any  fixed  choir  or  paid  singers  until 
1827  chiefly  because  of  the  small  amount  appropriated  each 
year  for  the  use  of  the  singers  before  1822,  which  averaged  up 
to  that  time  about  $100,  while  from  April  16,  1822,  to  Jan.  1, 
1827,  $300  was  appropriated  each  year  to  pay  the  organist 
and  chorister.  Between  1827  and  1835  there  was  no  appro- 
priation voted  by  the  Society.     On  Oct.  1,  1831,  the  under- 


MUSIC 


351 


signed  members  of  the  First  Religious  Society  in  Roxbury 
agreed  to  pay  the  sums  set  against  their  respective  names,  to 
the  Committee  of  said  Society,  to  defray  the  expense  on  an 
organist  and  other  indispensable  items  for  encouragement  of 
the  music  generally. 


Paid  — 

Guy  Carleton    . 
Sam  J.  Gardner 
William  Phipps 
John  Lemist  . 
Eben""  Crafts  . 
S.  C.  Thwing 
Joseph  Vila   . 
IVIisses  Davis 
Thos.  Simmons 
Thos.  Brewer 
Jon^  Dorr 
J.  B.  Fowle 
Chas.  Grant  . 
William  White 
Abijah  Meriam 
Isaac  Wyman . 
Caroline  L.  Eustis 
D.  A.  Sigoumey 
Nat.  Dorr  .    .    . 
Charles  Hichling 
Dea.  John  Clap 
W«i  Bacon     .    . 
Chas.  Bullard    . 
Moses  Whiting . 
Wmpisk    .    .    . 
John  Bartlett     . 
Sam'l  Guild  .    . 
Joseph  Callender 
Ozias  Field    .    . 
Nahum  Ward    . 
Ralph  Crooker  . 
Nathan  Smith 
A.  M.  Withington 
W™  Davis     .   . 
Will™  Dorr 


Paid  — 

$  5 .  00  Sam'l  H.  Hunneman 

5.00 Dyer  .    . 

5.00  E.W.Bradley 

15 .  00  Eben  Francis 

15 .  00  Jno.  Parker 

10.00  Charles  Davis 

.5.00  David  Dudley 

5.00  D.  A.  Simmons 

5.00  B.  F.  Copeland 

5.00  John  Lowell 

3.00  H.  A.  S.  Dearborn 

5.00  A.  D.  Williams 

5 .  00  Isaac  Davis    .    . 

5.00  Enoch  Bartlett 

5.00  W.  Gore.    .    .    . 

1.00  S.  WUliams    .    . 

5.00  P.  G.  Bobbins  . 

2.00  Jos.  Harrington 

2.00  E.  G.  Lemon    . 

3.00  Lemuel  Mills     . 

3.00  John  J.  Clarke 

2.00  F.S.Eastman 

1.00  W°iH.  Spear 

2.00  Ben j.  Weld    . 

3.00  Asa  Bugbee 

5.00  Aaron  Willard 

5 .  00  Mr.  Wainwright 

2.00  M.  Durand    . 

1.00  M.  Ward    .    . 

2.00  E.  Taber    .    . 

2.00  Jacob  Allen 

2.00  Jacob  Marshall 

2 .  00  Stedman  Williams 

5.00  N.D.Williams.    . 
2.00 


$2.00 
2.00 
2.00 
15.00 
15.00 
10.00 
5.00 
5.00 
5.00 
15.00 
5.00 
5.00 
5.00 
5.00 
5.00 
3.00 
5.00 
2.00 
3.00 
1.00 
2.00 
2.00 
3.00 
2.00 
1.00 
1.00 
2.00 
2.00 
1.00 
1.00 
1.00 
1.00 
2.00 
2.00 


288.00 


352  THE  FIFTH   MEETII^G   HOUSE 

In  1834,  Joseph  W.  Tucker  advanced  $93.33  for  church 
music,  otherwise  the  singers  must  have  received  no  com- 
pensation for  their  services  until  1836,  when  $450  was  appro- 
priated for  music,  and  from  1836  to  1850  between  $400  and 
$500.  In  1850  $750,  and  the  amount  was  gradually  in- 
creased until  over  $3000  was  reached. 

The  first  mention  of  a  committee  on  music  was  at  the 
annual  meeting  in  1835,  when  Joseph  Harrington,  chairman, 
Samuel  J.  Gardner  and  Charles  P.  Blaney  were  appointed 
a  committee  to  take  charge  of  church  music  or  as  the  records 
have  it  "  to  see  that  Church  Music  is  regularly  performed  in 
First  R.  Society,  each  Sabbath  in  the  ensuing  year.  Said 
Committee  to  have  the  direction  and  Control  of  the  same." 
From  this  it  may  be  inferred  that  the  music  was  very  irregular 
and  uncertain. 

Their  successors  in  office  with  dates  of  appointments  were; 

Jan.  4,  1836.    Doctor  P.  G.  Robbins,  Galen  Bowditch,  Joseph  W.  Tucker. 

Jan.  2,  1837.     John  Lemist,  Dr.  Henry  Bartlett. 

Jan.  1,  1838.     Standing  Committee  and  Joseph  Harrington,  John  Lemist, 

Dr.  Henry  Bartlett. 
May  7, 1849.    F.  C.  Loring,  S.  P.  Blake,  J.  W.  Tucker,  J.  J.'May,  Ephraim 

Harrington. 
Jan.  6,  1851.     John  Rogers,  George  W.  Dodd,  Charles  Hickling,  Joseph  W. 

Tucker,  John  J.  May. 
Jan.  2,  1854.     John  Rogers,  Charles  Hickling,  Joseph  W.  Tucker,  John  J. 

May,  ALmon  D.  Hodges. 
Jan.  4,  1858.     John  Rogers,  Joseph  W.  Tucker,  John  J.  May,  Ahnon  D. 

Hodges,  Henry  W.  Pickering. 
Jan.  2,  1860.     John  Rogers,  Joseph  W.  Tucker,  John  J.  May,  Henry  W. 

Pickering. 
Jan.  4,  1864.     John  Rogers,  Joseph  W.  Tucker,  Henry  W.  Pickering, 

Samuel  C.  Cobb,  Lyman  Hollingsworth. 
Jan.  2, 1865.     Samuel  C.  Cobb,  Lyman  Hollingsworth,  Henry  W.  Pickering, 

Josiah  \\Tieelwright. 
Feb.  6,  1866.    Theodore  Otis,  Charles  J.  Danforth,  Franklin  Greene,  John 

Felt  Osgood,  WilUam  Crosby. 
Jan.  7,  1868.     Charles  J.  Danforth. 
Jan.  5,  1874.     Charles  J.  Danforth,  Horatio  Harris,  Israel  G.  Whitney. 


MUSIC  353 

Jan.  4,  1875.  Franklin  S.  Merritt. 

Jan.  7,  1878.  William  A.  Beattie. 

Jan.  2,  1882.  The  Standing  Committee. 

Jan.  1,  1883.  George  A.  Dary,  R.  B.  Fairbairn. 

Jan.  4,  1886.  George  A.  Dary,  R.  B.  Fairbairn,  Mrs.  Leonard  Ware,  Jr. 

Jan.  2,  1888.  George  A.  Dary,  R.  B.  Fairbairn. 

Jan.  7,  1889.  G.  H.  Wilson,  Mark  Hollingsworth. 

Jan.  5,  1891.  Mark  Hollingsworth. 

Jan.  6,  1896.  Theodore  M.  Plimpton. 

Jan.  4,  1897.  N.  O.  Whitcomb,  Stephen  H.  Williams,  James  A.  Waddington. 

Jan.  2,  1899.  N.  O.  Whitcomb. 


354  THE   FIFTH   MEETING  HOUSE 


THE    SUNDAY   SCHOOL 

In  the  early  days  of  the  church  the  young  people  were 
carefully  watched  over  and  disciplined,  and  at  least  once  a 
year  were  catechised  by  the  Pastor  or  Elders.  December 
6th,  1674,  Eliot  writes  in  the  Church  Book: 

"This  day  we  restored  o''  primitive  practice  for  the  training  up  of  o' 
youth,  first  o'"  male  youth  (in  fitting  season),  stay  every  Sab:  after  the  evening 
exercize,  in  the  Pub:  meeting  house,  where  the  Elders  will  examine  their 
remembrance  yt  day,  &  amy  fit  poynt  of  catechise.  Secondly  yt  o""  female 
youth  should  meet  in  one  place,  where  the  Elders  may  examine  ym  of  theire 
remembrance  yesterday  &  about  catechise,  or  what  else  may  be  convenient." 

From  that  time  there  is  no  special  mention  in  the  records 
of  a  Sunday  school,  though  we  know  that  the  Pastors  and 
Elders  continued  to  watch  over  and  discipline  the  youth  of 
their  flock. 

The  Sunday  school  as  we  know  it  to-day  was  organized  in 
Dr.  Porter's  time,  and  he  is  known  to  have  taken  an  interest 
in  the  young  and  often  talked  in  the  school  to  the  scholars. 
The  first  known  superintendent  was  Mr.  Clap,  and  he  is 
mentioned  as  acting  in  1841.  Oct.  31,  1842,  Mr.  Williams, 
son  of  Mr.  Isaac  Williams,  entered  upon  the  duties,  and 
Dec.  12,  1847,  Mr.  C.  K.  Dillaway  became  the  superintendent 
and  continued  in  office  for  nearly  thirty  years.  He  was 
succeeded  by  Mr.  Adams  Ayer,  after  whom  there  have  been 
numerous  superintendents,  no  one  serving  for  any  great  length 
of  time.  In  some  years  students  from  the  Divinity  School 
in  Cambridge  have  filled  the  place. 

In  the  first  haM  of  the  century  the  session  was  only  between 
April  first  and  December  first,  on  account  of  the  lack  of  heat 
and  the  difficulty  of  sending  children  any  distance  in  cold 
and  stormy  weather.     The  time  of  service  was  sometimes 


THE  SUNDAY  SCHOOL  355 

between  three  and  four  in  the  afternoon,  but  more  often 
before  church  service  in  the  morning. 

The  school  assembled  in  the  pews  in  the  middle  aisle  of 
the  church,  and  the  opening  exercises  generally  consisted  of 
a  short  service  with  singing.  The  classes  then  adjourned  to 
the  square  pews,  where  the  class  lessons  were  held.  Just 
before  the  end  of  the  hour  they  reassembled  in  the  middle 
aisle,  and  after  repeating  the  lord's  Prayer  and  singing  a 
hymn,  the  school  was  dismissed  with  a  benediction.  Some- 
times the  school  was  addressed  by  a  visitor.  Mr.  Wm.  Crosby 
made  an  address  annually,  when  a  special  collection  was  taken 
up  for  the  benefit  of  the  Children's  Mission. 

There  was  no  system  in  the  class  instruction.  Each 
teacher  used  his  or  her  own  individual  method.  Some  classes 
used  the  books  common  in  the  American  Unitarian  Associa- 
tion, but  there  was  no  compulsion  in  the  use  of  these.  Dur- 
ing Mr.  Brooks'  pastorate  he  held  teachers'  meetings,  where 
the  lessons  were  planned  and  discussed,  but  each  teacher 
used  her  own  method  in  carrying  out  the  ideas  thus  gained. 

Prizes  were  given  for  regular  attendance,  and  at  Christmas 
and  Easter  there  were  special  exercises.  A  collection  was 
taken  the  first  Sunday  in  each  month,  usually  for  the  benefit 
of  the  Children's  Mission.  There  was  a  library  in  connec- 
tion with  the  school,  when  books  were  given  out  and  exchanged 
each  Sunday. 

May  27,  1868,  there  was  a  mass  meeting  of  Sunday  school 
children  in  Music  Hall  in  Boston,  in  which  our  school  took 
an  active  part.  On  another  occasion  the  school  was  taken 
in  King's  coaches  to  Boston,  to  see  an  exhibition  of  religious 
paintings,  and  for  many  years  the  annual  Sunday  school 
picnic  was  a  popular  feature. 

In  the  Report  of  the  Society  in  1880,  the  following  was  the 


356  THE   FIFTH   MEETING   HOUSE 


REPORT   OF  THE   SUNDAY   SCHOOL 

The  number  of  scholars  now  in  the  school  is  130;  the  number  of  teachers 
27.  A  teachers'  meeting  is  held  once  each  fortnight  on  Friday  at  four  o'clock. 
These  meetings  are  always  open  to  all  in  the  society  who  care  to  listen  to  a 
discussion  of  the  work  of  the  Sunday  School.  It  is  of  the  nature  of  a  Bible 
Class.  The  hour  of  the  School  was  changed  in  the  autumn  from  three 
P.M.  to  a  quarter  of  ten  A.M.  A  gentleman  from  the  senior  class  of  the 
Divinity  School  in  Cambridge  has  been  engaged  this  year  to  assist  in  the 
superintendence  of  the  school.  The  Library  last  year  underwent  a  careful 
examination,  a  large  number  of  questionable  books  being  tlirown  out. 
Nearly  an  equal  number  of  new  books,  selected  almost  wholly  from  the 
catalogue  of  the  Ladies'  Commission,  were  added.  Contributions  are  taken 
up  in  the  school  for  the  Children's  Mission.  The  siun  this  year  it  is  hoped 
will  be  about  one  hundred  dollars.  The  Children's  Clu-istmas  Festival  has 
resulted  in  adding  largely  to  the  stores  of  IVIr.  Briggs,  the  Agent  of  the 
Roxbm-y  Charitable  Society.  Instead  of  distributing  gifts  to  our  own  children 
they  have  been  asked  to  bring  useful  gifts,  groceries,  clothing,  &c  which  have 
been  given  to  Mr.  Briggs.  Large  numbers  of  toys  have  also  been  sent  to  the 
Rev.  Mr.  William  Bradley's  Mission  in  Heath  Street.  The  officers  of  the 
School  are 

Superintendent,  Rev.  J.  G.  Brooks. 

Ass^istmit-Superintendent,  Mr.  A.  M.  Judy. 

Librarians.    Miss  Abby  Putnam  and  Miss  Emma  Lockwood. 

Teachers. 

Miss  A.  S.  Baylies.  Miss  Nellie  Leavitt. 

Miss  Josephine  Carret.  Miss  Elizabeth  Leland. 

JVIrs.  Mary  L.  Clarke.  Miss  Maria  D.  Lockwood. 

Miss  Annie  V.  Comins.  Miss  Anna  C.  Lowell. 

Miss  Helen  T.  Comins.  Miss  Susie  H.  Pickering. 

Miss  L.  B.  Comins.  Miss  Laura  M.  Pollock. 

Miss  Emily  A.  Crafts.  Miss  F.  S.  Rogers. 

Miss  Sarah  Dearborn.  Miss  Alice  M.  Sears. 

Mrs.  G«o.  B.  Farnsworth.  Miss  Sophia  Shepherd. 

Miss  Kate  Fearing.  Miss  Sarah  Taber. 

Miss  Emma  Hutchins.  Miss  Annie  H.  Thwing. 

Mr.  A.  M.  Judy.  Miss  Annie  Ware. 

Miss  Carrie  Leavitt.  ]VIrs.  Fanny  A.  Wheelock. 
Miss  E.  W.  Leavitt. 


« 
<: 

O' 
CO 

H 
O 

o 

> 


THE   HORSE  SHEDS  357 

THE   HORSE    SHEDS 

The  first  mention  in  the  church  records  of  sheds  for  the 
protection,  during  services,  of  the  horses  of  those  Hving  at 
a  distance,  was  on  Jan.  19,  1673,  when  leave  was  granted 
the  inhabitants  hving  at  a  distance  to  have  ground  for 
temporary  house  for  themselves  and  horses  on  the  Sabbath. 

In  March,  1701-2,  leave  was  granted  to  build  a  stable  to 
shelter  horses  at  public  meetings  and  on  the  Sabbath,  and 
the  next  year  leave  was  granted  to  those  at  Jamaica  end  to 
build  a  house  near  the  meeting  house  for  their  accommoda- 
tion between  services  on  the  Sabbath  day.  The  exact 
location  of  these  sheds  is  unknown. 

There  were  7  or  8  horse  sheds  erected  in  1757  standing  on 
a  part  of  the  ground  now  enclosed  in  the  meeting  house  yard. 
In  1804,  they  were  removed  on  to  the  triangular  piece  of  land 
at  the  corner  of  Bartlett  and  Dudley  Streets,  where  Cox 
Building  now  stands,  and  were  then  seven  in  number.  In 
1828  they  had  become  so  much  out  of  repair  that  it  was 
deemed  necessary  to  pull  them  down  and  erect  new  ones  in 
their  stead.  The  seven  Old  Proprietors  conceived  that  they 
had  a  right  to  the  land  on  which  their  sheds  stood,  by  reason 
of  their  having  had  quiet  possession  thereof  for  more  than 
twenty  years  (since  1804),  and  in  that  case  came  in  for  new 
ones  on  better  terms  than  those  who^had  requested  leave  of 
the  Society  to  build  an  additional  number.  Therefore  they 
were  given  the  first  choice  and  not  compelled  to  take  leases. 
All  were  to  have  the  use  of  the  sheds  for  twenty  years  by  pay- 
ing to  the  Standing  Committee  one  Dollar  when  the  sheds 
were  completed. 

The  new  sheds  were  erected,  completed,  and  accepted  by 
the  building  committee  about  Jan.  1,  1830,  at  a  cost  of  $700, 
They  were  leased  until  Dec.  31,  1849,  each  proprietor  paying 


358  THE   FIFTH    MEETING   HOUSE 

about  $35  to  cover  the  cost  of  erection,  and  a  rental  of  one 
cent  per  year  if  demanded. 

A  list  of  the  proprietors  is  as  follows,  the  Old  Proprietors 
being  designated  by  a  * 

No.     1.    Charles  Davis*. 

No.     2.    John  Lowell*. 

No.    3.    William  C.  Hunneman*. 

No.     4.    Enoch  Bartlett. 

No.     5.    Thos.  K.  Jones. 

No.    6.    Susan  and  Sarah  Davis*. 

No.     7.    Eben  Francis. 

No.     8.    John  Parker*. 

No,     9.    Isaac  Davis. 

No.  10.    Caroline  Langdon  Eustis. 

No.  11.    Samuel  Billings. 

No.  12.    David  Dudley. 

No.  13.    Ebenezer  Crafts. 

No.  14.    Nehemiah  D.  Williams*. 

No.  15.    Benjamin  Weld. 

No.  16.    Aaron  Kingsbury. 

No.  17.    Stedman  Williams. 

No.  18.    Thomas  Brewer. 

No.  19.    John  Champney. 

No.  20.    Aaron  D.  Willams*. 

The  following  were  afterwards  transferred. 

No.     4  to  Warren  Fisher. 

No.  10  to  Jonathan  Chapman  of  Boston  and  later  to  Jas. 

D.  Gould. 
No.  11  to  David  A.  Simmons. 
No.  12  to  William  I.  Loring. 
No.  14  to  Holman  Page. 
No.  16  to  William  B.  Kingsbury. 
No.  18  to  Gardner  Brewer. 
No.  19  to  Benjamin  Bangs. 

In  1850  the  leases  were  renewed  until  1859  when  the  sheds 
were  entirely  removed. 


CHARITABLE   SOCIETIES  359 


CHARITABLE    SOCIETIES 

Our  church  has  always  been  foremost  in  good  works,  and 
has  helped  many  good  causes.  The  following  Societies  have 
been  founded  by  members  of  the  church.  Some  of  them  have 
ceased  to  exist,  and  others,  enlisting  the  sympathy  of  those 
outside  of  our  Society,  have  ceased  to  be  strictly  church 
organizations. 

Roxbury  Charitable  Society,  1794. 

The  Roxbury  Female  Benevolent  Society,  1827. 

Ladies'  Religious  Charitable  Society,  1832-1835. 

The  May  Fair,  1842. 

Roxbury  Branch  of  the  United  States  Sanitary  Com- 
mission, 1861. 

Lincohi  Freedman's  Aid  Society,  1863-1873. 

The  Roxbury  Young  Men's  Union,  1875. 

The  Woman's  Alliance,  1887. 

Chapel  Club,  1896-1906. 
Not  only  in  organizing  these  Societies,  but  in  carrying  on 
the  work,  have  the  ladies  of  our  church  been  the  leaders. 
They  have  generously  contributed  both  time  and  money, 
and  have  been  active  and  indefatigable  in  making  them  a 
success.  During  the  century,  one  or  more  members  of  almost 
every  family  connected  with  the  church,  has  devoted  herself 
to  some  one  of  these  good  works,  and  as  it  is  impossible  to 
name  them  all,  I  am  sure  that  no  one  will  take  it  amiss  if  I 
omit  all  personal  mention.  Where  all  have  been  faithful  and 
done  much,  it  is  impossible  to  specialize. 

Besides  the  regular  organizations,  the  ladies  have  been  ever 
ready  to  answer  special  appeals,  and  to  take  their  share  in 
emergencies.  In  April,  1845,  after  a  great  fire  at  the  Rope- 
walks,  the  ladies  met  and  devised  help  for  the  sufferers,  and 
many  other  instances  of  a  like  nature  could  be  named. 


360  THE   FIFTH    MEETING   HOUSE 

From  time  to  time  Sewing  Circles  have  been  organized  and 
carried  on  for  a  few  years,  and  then  they  seem  to  have  died 
a  natural  death,  until  a  new  generation  thought  the  time 
again  auspicious  for  these  social  functions. 

The  John  Eliot  Club,  a  purely  social  club  for  the  men  of 
the  Society,  was  organized  in  1890. 

THE  ROXBURY  CHARITABLE  SOCIETY 

The  meeting  to  organize  this  society  was  held  in  January, 
1794,  probably  the  third  Monday,  the  20^^  day,  at  the  resi- 
dence of  Mr.  William  Lambert,  the  house  still  standing  at 
the  corner  of  Bartlett  and  Blanchard  Streets.  The  first 
officers  of  the  Society  were  chosen  at  this  meeting  to  hold 
office  until  the  annual  meeting.  The  Society  was  incor- 
porated Feb.  26,  1799.  The  first  annual  meeting  was  held 
at  the  old  Parish  Meeting  House  on  Monday,  Sept.  15^^,  1794, 
when  a  discourse  was  delivered  by  the  Rev.  Eliphalet  Porter, 
our  Pastor. 

Discourses  or  addresses  were  delivered  at  subsequent 
annual  meetings  by  the  following :  — 

1795.  Hon.  John  Lowell  of  Roxbury. 

1796.  John  Bartlett,  M.D.,  of  Roxbury. 

1797.  Mr.  Nathaniel  Ruggles  of  Roxbury. 

1798.  Rev.  Thaddeus  Mason  Harris  of  the  First  Church, 

Dorchester. 

1799.  Rev.  John  Foster  of  the  First  Church,  Brighton. 

1800.  Rev.    William    Emerson    of   the    First    Church, 

Boston. 

1801.  Rev.  John  Eliot,  D.D.,  of  the  New  North  Church, 

Boston. 

1802.  Rev.  Henry  Cummings,  D.D.,  of  the  First  Church, 

Billerica. 

1803.  Nathaniel  S.  Prentiss,  M.D.,  of  Roxbury. 


CHARITABLE   SOCIETIES  361 

1804.  Luther  Richardson,  Esq.,  of  Roxbiiry. 

1805.  Rev.  Joshua  Bates  of  the  First  Church,  Dedham. 

1806.  Rev.  Charles  Lowell  of  the  West  Boston  Society, 

Boston. 

1807.  Joseph  Harrington,  Esq.,  of  Roxbury. 

1808.  Henry  Maurice  Lisle,  Esq.,  of  Milton. 

1809.  Rev.  Samuel  Gile  of  the  First  Congregational 

Parish,  Milton. 

1810.  Rev.  Horace   HoUey  of  Hollis   Street   Church, 

Boston. 

1811.  Rev.  Edward  Dorr  Griffin,  D.D.,  of  Park  Street 

Church,  Boston. 

1812.  Rev.  Ezra  Ripley  of  the  First  Church,  Concord, 

Mass. 

1813.  Samuel  J.  Gardner,  Esq.,  of  Roxbury. 

1814.  Mr.  Joseph  Field  of  Boston. 

1815.  Rev.   Nathaniel   L.    Frothingham   of  the   First 

Church,  Boston. 

1816.  Rev.  Francis  Parkman  of  the  New  North  Church, 

Boston. 

1817.  Rev.    John    Codman    of    the    Second    Church, 

Dorchester. 

1818.  Rev.  Prof.  Henry  Ware,  D.D.,  of  Harvard  Col- 

lege, Cambridge. 

1819.  Rev.    John   Pierpont  of  Hollis   Street   Church, 

Boston. 

1820.  Rev.  Prof.  Edward  Everett  of  Harvard  College, 

Cambridge. 

Jn  1821  the  custom  of  the  annual  address  was  discontinued. 
There  was  much  ceremony  attached  to  these  annual  meetings. 
A  procession  was  formed  in  the  afternoon  at  the  Town 
House  and  proceeded  under  the  escort  of  the  local  military 
company  to   the  Meeting  House,  where  the  address  was 


362  THE   FIFTH   MEETING   HOUSE 

given  and  where  music  was  a  prominent  feature.  A  collec- 
tion was  always  taken  up.  Thanks  were  always  tendered  to 
those  who  delivered  the  address  for  their  "handsome  address" 
or  "ingenious  discourse,"  or  in  some  other  quaint  phrase. 
Hon.  John  Lowell  was  the  first  president  of  this  Society, 
Hon.  Increase  Sumner  and  Hon,  John  Read  the  first  vice- 
presidents,  Nathaniel  Ruggles  the  first  secretary,  Joseph 
Ruggles  the  first  treasurer. 

The  successors  of  these  gentlemen  have  been  many  of  the 
leading  citizens  of  Roxbury,  who  have  administered  the 
affairs  of  the  Society  in  a  highly  creditable  manner. 

By  the  failure  of  the  Norfolk  Bank  the  accumulated  funds 
of  the  Society  were  almost  entirely  lost,  and  its  work  of 
charity  almost  ceased,  until  by  the  exertions  of  Rev.  Dr. 
Putnam  and  Deacon  William  Davis  it  was  reorganized  in 
1850,  and  a  few  years  later  it  received  the  munificent  legacy 
of  Horatio  Davis,  which  now  amounts  to  about  one  hundred 
thousand  dollars.  The  aim  of  the  Society  was  to  help  the 
unfortunate.  It  is  no  longer  a  church  institution,  but  con- 
tinues its  usefulness  in  giving  aid  to  those  of  good  character 
living  in  Roxbury,  whose  misfortunes  compel  them  to  ask 
assistance. 

THE    ROXBURY    FEMALE    BENEVOLENT    SOCIETY 

Was  organized  m  1827,  and  since  that  time  has  been  a  very 
efficient  aid  in  the  charities  m  Roxbury.  It  gives  employ- 
ment in  sewing  to  a  large  number  of  women,  and  distributes 
many  garments  to  the  needy.  It  meets  for  its  work,  the  cut- 
ting out  of  the  garments,  at  Putnam  Chapel  every  Monday 
morning  at  ten  o'clock,  from  December  to  May.  It  has  an 
employment  committee  and  a  loan  and  gift  committee. 


CHARITABLE  SOCIETIES  363 

LADIES    RELIGIOUS    CHARITABLE    SOCIETY 

A  few  ladies  having  met  at  Mr.  Putnam's  on  the  evening 
of  the  18th  of  October,  1832,  after  making  arrangements  for 
the  formation  of  the  society,  adopted  the  following  con- 
stitution. 

1st.  That  the  association  shall  be  called  The  Ladies' 
Religious  Charitable  Association  of  Roxbury. 

2nd.  The  officers  shall  be  a  President,  Vice-President, 
Treasurer  and  Secretary  to  perform  the  customary  duties  of 
these  officers. 

3rd.  Meetings  shall  be  held  once  a  month,  or  more  fre- 
quently, if  deemed  expedient,  at  the  house  of  those  members 
for  whom  it  may  be  convenient. 

4th.  The  members  shall  employ  themselves  at  the  meet- 
ings about  such  kinds  of  work  as  they  can  make  most  avail- 
able, and  each  member  shall  be  responsible  for  two  dollars 
a  year  from  the  proceeds  of  her  industry,  or  from  some  other 
source,  to  be  paid  into  the  treasury  at,  or  before  the  last 
meeting  in  July,  which  shall  be  the  annual  meeting  for  the 
choice  of  officers,  provided,  however,  that  any  two  young 
misses,  who  feel  unable  to  be  responsible  for  so  large  a  sum, 
may  associate  together  to  raise  it. 

5th.  Until  otherwise  determined,  the  funds  of  this  associa- 
tion shall  be  annually  appropriated  for  the  support  of  some 
pious  and  promising  young  man,  while  preparing  for  the 
ministry,  at  the  Theological  school  at  Cambridge. 

6th.  The  association  shall  appoint  a  committee  of  three 
gentlemen  annually  to  select  some  suitable  young  man  to 
receive  the  aid  of  the  association. 

7th.  It  shall  be  a  leading  object  of  the  association,  by  read- 
ing or  conversation,  to  conduce  to  the  religious  knowledge 
and  improvement  of  its  members. 


364 


THE   FIFTH    MEETING   HOUSE 


8th.  Any  lady  may  become  a  member  of  this  association 
by  signing  this  constitution,  and  may  withdraw  at  any 
annual  meeting. 

*  Denotes  members  withdrawn,     f  Members  deceased. 


Mrs.  Lemist. 
Mrs.  C.  L.  Eiistis. 
Mrs.  E.  A.  Putnam. 
Mrs.  Susan  Dow. 
Mrs.  Persis  R.  Whiting. 
Mrs.  Catherine  G.  Gore. 

*  Mrs.  Frances  Glover. 
Mrs.  Rebecca  C.  Clark, 
Mrs.  Rebecca  Harrington. 
Mrs.  Nancy  Weld. 

Mrs.  Sarah  H.  Crafts. 
Mrs.  H.  E.  Bartlett. 
Mrs.  Harriet  Sigoumey. 
Mrs.  Sally  Ruggles. 
Mrs.  Elizabeth  Phipps. 
Mrs.  Sarah  Bradley. 
Mrs.  E.  Francis. 

*  Mrs.  Eliza  B.  Hickling. 
Mrs.  Charlotte  Reynolds. 
Mrs.  M.  F.  Simmons. 

t  Mrs.  SaUy  Thwing. 

Mrs.  Lucy  Ward. 

Mrs.  Julia  F.  Copeland. 

*  Mrs.  Eliza  Da^^s. 

*  Mrs.  Rebecca  Dyer. 
Mrs.  Lydia  Faxon. 

*  Mrs.  H.  A.  S.  Dearborn. 
Mrs.  Sarah  Guild. 

Mrs.  D.  Dudley. 
Mrs.  Salome  Davis. 
Mrs.  M.  Gardner. 
Mrs.  C.  Windship. 
Miss  Caroline  Porter. 
Miss  Martha  R.  Porter. 
Miss  Mary  Faxon. 
INIiss  Harriet  Bicknal. 

*  Miss  E.  Brigham. 


IVIiss  Jane  Willard. 
Miss  Caroline  Maybin. 
Miss  Rebecca  R.  Lowell. 
Miss  Aima  C.  Lowell. 
Miss  Susan  G.  Rogers. 
Miss  Sophia  Snow. 
Miss  Lucy  Staniford. 
Miss  Ann  P.  Lewis. 

*  Miss  Cordelia  Richards. 

*  Miss  Helen  Tuttle. 

*  Miss  Sarah  Ciunmens. 

*  Miss  Mary  Cummens. 
Miss  Mary  Baker. 
Miss  Matilda  Bartlett. 

*  Miss  Susan  Dow. 

*  Miss  Harriet  F.  Edes. 
Miss  Abby  M.  Sumner. 

*  Miss  Townsend. 
IVIrs.  Sally  Eastman. 
Miss  P.  H.  Patten. 
Miss  Mary  E.  Fairbanks. 
Miss  Frances  Lemist. 
Miss  Mary  D.  Guild. 
Miss  Sarah  A.  Guild. 
Miss  Sarah  B.  Bartlett. 
Miss  Ann  D.  Bartlett. 

*  Miss  Caroline  Allen. 
Miss  Hannah  Faxon. 

*  Miss  Frances  Glover. 
Mrs.  Abby  Sumner. 
Miss  Babson. 

Miss Francis. 

Miss Francis. 

Miss Francis. 

*  Misses  Harriet  &  Abby  Carlton. 

*  Misses  S.  Grant  &  M.  Frothing- 

ham*. 


CHARITABLE   SOCIETIES  365 

*  Miss  Charlotte  Butters.  IVIisses  Caroline  &  Jane  Bartlett. 

*  Miss  Eliza  Butters.  *  Misses  Salome  &  Marc  White. 

*  Misses  N.  W.  &.  A.  Davis.  Misses  A.  W.    &.  N.  E.  Baker. 

*  3  Misses  Champney.  *  Misses  Mary  W.  Davis   &  S.  H. 
2   Misses   Whiting.  Crafts. 

*  Misses   Elizabeth    &     Julia  Le-       3  Misses  Weld. 

land*.  Miss  C.  Brewer. 

Misses  Harriet   &  Sarah  Ward.  *  Miss  C.  Leland. 

Misses   Harriet    and    Susan    Blan-  Miss  Mary  P.  Adams. 

chard.  Miss  Eliza  Bacon. 

*  Misses     Sophia     &     EUza    Har-  Miss  Mary  Richards. 

rington.  *  Mrs.  Peter  Sears. 

Misses    Salome    H.    Snow     &    E.       Miss  Eliza  Baldwin. 
Weld.  Miss  EUen  White. 

Journal  of  the  Proceedings  of  the  L.  R.  C.  Association. 

October  2Srd,  1832.  A  meeting  was  held  at  Dr.  Porter's 
when  a  committee  was  chosen  to  soHcit  subscriptions. 

October  31st.  Met  at  Mrs.  Putnam's.  Mr.  Putnam  was 
appointed  moderator  and  the  following  oflBcers  were  elected 
for  the  ensuing  year. 

Mrs.  E.  A.  Putnam,  President. 

Miss  Caroline  Porter,  Vice  President. 

Mrs.  Rebecca  C.  Clark,  Treasurer. 

Miss  Sarah  B.  Bartlett,  Secretary. 
It  was  voted  that  the  meetings  should  be  held  on  the  third 
Tuesday  of  each  month,  in  the  evenings  of  winter,  and  the 
afternoons  of  summer.     Also  that  two  or  more  young  ladies 
may  associate  together  to  produce  the  sum  of  two  dollars. 

November  29th.  First  sewing  meeting  was  held  at  Mrs. 
Putnam's.  Commenced  reading  the  life  of  Obelin.  A 
donation  was  received  from  Miss  Rebecca  R.  Lowell  of  one 
dollar,  in  addition  to  her  subscription.  Three  new  members 
were  admitted. 

December  ISth.  Met  at  Mrs.  Lemist's.  Two  new  mem- 
bers. 

January  \5th,  1833.     A  very  full  meeting  at  Mrs.  Ward's. 


366  THE   FIFTH   MEETING   HOUSE 

February  I9th.  Met  at  Mrs.  Robbin's.  Two  new  mem- 
bers were  added. 

March  2Qth.  A  meeting  at  Mrs.  David  Simmons'.  Life 
of  Obelin  was  finished.     Three  new  members  were  added. 

April  IMh.  Met  at  Mrs.  Craft's.  A  letter  was  read  from 
Professor  Palfrey,  recommending  Mr.  Briggs  as  a  suitable 
person  to  receive  the  aid  of  the  association,  he  was  accord- 
ingly chosen.  The  meetings  were  changed  to  the  afternoon 
of  the  third  Wednesday  in  each  month.  Began  to  read  the 
Listener. 

May  15th.     First  afternoon  meeting  at  Mrs.  Fairbank's. 

June  19th.  At  Dr.  Porter's.  A  donation  of  three  dollars 
was  received  from  Mrs.  Eustis. 

July  nth.  Annual  meeting  at  Mrs.  E.  Bartlett's.  Very 
few  members  present. 

September  18th.  At  Mrs.  Eastman's.  No  meeting  in 
August. 

October  15th.     First  evening  meeting  at  Mrs.  Nancy  Weld's. 

November  19th.  Full  meeting  at  Mrs.  Putnam's.  A 
letter  was  read  from  Mrs.  Willard  with  proposals  for  pub- 
lishing her  Travels  in  Europe.  Voted  to  subscribe  for  one 
copy.  The  balance  of  the  receipts  for  the  past  year  $29 
were  deposited  in  the  Roxbury  Savings  Bank.  The  meetings 
were  changed  to  Thursday. 

December  17th.     No  meeting. 

January  IQth,  1834.  At  Mrs.  Patten's.  A  donation  of 
$10  was  received  from  the  Misses  Lowell. 

February  ^Oth.  Met  at  Mrs.  Gardner's.  Commenced 
reading  Mrs.  Willard's  Travels. 

March  20th.     At  Mrs.  Ward's. 

April  17th.  Meeting  at  Mrs.  Gore's  which  was  well 
attended.     Two  new  members. 

May  15th.     Met  at  Mrs.  Lemist's.     It  was  voted  to  con- 


CHARITABLE   SOCIETIES  367 

tinue  the  meetings  in  the  evenings,  and  to  give  up  reading 
for  the  present. 

June  19th.     No  meeting. 

July  llfh.  Annual  meeting  at  Mrs.  Eastman's.  The 
same  officers  were  elected,. with  the  exception  of  Mrs.  Clark, 
who  declined.  Miss  Matilda  Bartlett  was  chosen  Treasurer. 
It  was  voted  that  a  note  of  thanks  should  be  addressed  to 
Mrs.  Clark  for  her  services  for  the  two  preceding  years. 
The  balance  of  the  receipts  for  the  past  year  6  dollars 
were  deposited  in  the  Savings  Bank. 

August  2lst.     At  Mrs.  William  Phipps'. 

September  18th.     Very  full  meeting  at  Mrs.  Snow's. 

October  16th.  At  Miss  Porter's.  Three  new  members 
were  added. 

November  20th.  At  Mrs.  Benjamin  Weld's,  but  four 
members  present. 

December  18th.  A  meeting  at  Mrs.  Putnam's.  Mr. 
Parker  of  Lexington  was  proposed  as  a  suitable  person  to 
receive  the  aid  of  the  society.     Reading  was  again  adopted. 

January  22nd,  1835.     Met  at  Mrs.  Windship's. 

February  19th.     At  Mrs.  J.  Bartlett's. 

March  19th.     Very  pleasant  meeting  at  Mrs.  Ward's. 

April  23rd.     Full  meeting  at  Mrs.  Harrinton's. 

Here  the  Journal  ends.  Copied  through  the  kindness  of 
Miss  Anna  S.  Everett  in  whose  possession  is  the  original. 


368  THE   FIFTH   MEETING   HOUSE 


THE   MAY    FAIR 

The  first  May  Fair  was  held  May  1,  1842,  in  the  hall  of 
the  old  Norfolk  House.  It  was  started  by  Miss  Polly  Patten, 
who  returned  from  the  west  filled  with  the  desire  to  help  the 
struggling  Unitarian  church  in  the  town  of  Geneva,  Illinois. 
It  was  the  third  Unitarian  church  in  the  west.  The  matter 
was  discussed  at  the  Sewing  Circle,  and  the  outcome  was 
the  first  of  the  annual  May  Breakfasts  and  Fairs,  which  for 
many  years  were  notable  events  in  the  town  and  church  life. 
$800  was  contributed  by  our  church  as  the  net  result  of  this 
first  Fair.  We  insert  the  following  poem,  not  so  much 
perhaps  for  its  artistic  merit  as  to  preserve  a  quaint  relic  of 
the  past. 

Invitation  of  the  Ladies 

TO   THE 

May  Morning  Fair. 

Oh  come,  friends,  all  come,  'tis  om*  urgent  request, 
And  aid  us  to  build  up  the  Church  in  the  West. 
The  ladies  unite  their  best  efforts  together.  — 
Their  smiles  shall  insure  you  the  fairest  of  weather. 

Should  Eurus  salute  you  on  May's  early  morn. 
And  Chill'd  by  his  blast  you  feel  cold  and  forlorn, 
The  rich  smoking  coffee  awaits  your  behest; 
Come  and  help  us  to  build  up  the  Church  in  tJie  West. 

If  to  her  you  love  best  a  fit  offering  you'd  bring, 
Here  are  flowers  all  bright  with  the  freshness  of  spring; 
Choose  roses  or  lilies,  or  what  you  like  best; 
And  help  us  to  build  up  the  Church  in  the  West. 

Would  you  please  your  young  friends,  here  are  gifts  rich  and  rare, 
Here  are  dolls,  who  wear  bonnets  and  dolls  who  have  hair; 
The  usefid  and  pleasing  your  sight  shall  arrest; 
Then  help  us  to  build  up  the  Church  in  the  West. 


CHARITABLE    SOCIETIES  369 

But  we  urge  not  such  notions  to  patrons  like  ours, 
Though  ingenious  the  works,  and  attractive  the  flowers. 
We  appeal  to  your  hearts;  let  your  actions  attest 
Your  zeal  to  erect  the  new  Church  in  the  West. 

So  in  ages  to  come,  when  the  pure  light  of  truth 
Shall  comfort  the  old,  and  in  peace  guide  the  youth, 
On  the  old  town  of  Roxbury  their  blessing  shall  rest; 
For  she  help'd  to  build  up  their  Church  in  tlie  West. 

The  Fairs  became  highly  popular  not  only  in  Roxbury, 
but  many  came  from  the  neighboring  towns.  Young  men 
walked  or  rode  out  from  Boston  to  the  Breakfasts.  There 
was  always  a  May  Pole  around  which  both  young  and  old 
gathered,  and  tables  of  fancy  articles,  besides  the  ice  cream 
and  more  substantial  fare.  After  a  time  other  churches 
joined  in  the  preparations  and  it  ceased  to  be  a  church  insti- 
tution. The  money  collected  annually  was  devoted  to 
various  popular  uses,  and  during  the  Civil  War,  especially, 
these  Fairs  were  a  great  attraction,  the  proceeds  going  to 
the  soldiers. 

The  Roxbury  Branch  of  the  Sanitary  Commission,  and 
the  Lincoln  Freedman's  Aid  Society,  though  started  by  the 
ladies  in  our  church,  soon  embraced  workers  from  all  denomi- 
nations and  the  details  of  their  work  will  be  found  elsewhere. 

THE    ROXBURY    YOUNG    MEN'S    UNION 

The  Roxbury  Young  Men's  Union  was  formed  by  the  Rev. 
John  Graham  Brooks,  during  the  year  1876.  It  was  non- 
sectarian,  and  its  object  to  improve  the  condition  of  the  young 
men  of  Roxbury.  They  had  rooms  in  a  building  at  No.  4 
Pynchon  Street,  near  the  Police  Station  at  Roxbury  Crossing. 
Four  years  after  it  had  been  in  existence,  it  had  a  member- 
ship of  about  two  hundred,  made  up  of  working  young  men 
whose  homes  were  not  easily  accessible  to  any  such  institution. 


370  THE   FIFTH    MEETING   HOUSE 

Its  success  was  in  no  small  degree  attributable  to  its  position 
so  near  to  tired  men.  It  began  with  boys  averaging  hardly 
more  than  sixteen  years  of  age. 

There  were  classes  each  evening  in  United  States  History, 
Political  Economy,  Bookkeeping,  English,  German,  Music 
and  Arithmetic.  These  were  carried  on  by  the  generous 
help  of  the  ladies  and  gentleman  of  the  Parish.  The  most 
important  was  that  of  Citizenship  under  the  personal  super- 
vision of  Mr.  Brooks.  Also  weekly  talks  on  practical  sub- 
jects. The  Library  contained  about  twelve  hundred 
volumes.  Through  the  influence  of  regular  class  work  the 
members  became  possessed  of  a  new  feeling  toward  the 
Union,  and  were  far  more  willing  to  sacrifice  for  it,  and  pro- 
posed a  monthly  payment  that  went  towards  its  support.  In 
1880  it  had  passed  out  of  its  dependant  stage,  and  was  almost 
self  supporting.  Nearly  fifty  members  were  influenced  to 
deposit  money  in  the  Savings  Bank  connected  with  the 
Union,  many  of  them  making  quite  regular  deposits.  The 
members  gave  occasional  entertainments  at  the  Union  and 
an  exhibition  in  the  church  chapel  each  year  to  help  meet 
the  necessary  expenses.  It  consisted  of  essays  and  discus- 
sions from  the  different  classes. 

After  the  resignation  of  Mr.  Brooks,  the  Union  ceased  to 
be  a  church  institution. 

THE    WOMAN'S   ALLIANCE 

This  is  a  branch  of  the  "National  Alliance,"  connected 
with  our  Church,  and  its  aim  is  to  enlist  the  interest  of 
every  woman  in  the  Church  in  denominational  and  mission- 
ary work.  Its  meetings  are  held  on  the  first  Tuesday  in 
every  month  from  October  to  May,  in  Putnam  Chapel,  at 
3  o'clock.  The  first  half  hour  is  devoted  to  business;  then 
follows  a  talk  or  lecture ;  afterwards  tea  is  served,  and  a  half 


CHARITABLE    SOCIETIES  371 

hour  is  given  to  conversation.  The  annual  membership  fee 
is  one  dollar.  Connected  with  it  are  the  Post  Office  Mission 
and  the  Cheerful  Letter  Exchange. 

THE  CHAPEL  CLUB 
was  organized  in  the  fall  of  1896  in  order  to  bring  the  young 
ladies  of  the  parish  in  closer  relations  to  each  other  and  the 
church,  and  to  give  them  a  more  vital  interest  in  the  work  of 
the  denomination.  Many  of  the  ladies  of  the  church  having 
felt  the  need  of  such  a  club,  Mrs.  DeNormandie  in  the 
spring  of  that  year  called  a  meeting  at  her  house,  where  such 
a  club  was  discussed  and  officers  and  directors  elected  to 
plan  the  work.  At  their  first  meeting,  it  was  voted  that  the 
club  should  be  called  the  "Chapel  Club,"  and  should  hold 
its  meetings  on  the  last  Tuesday  of  each  month  from  October 
to  May.  These  meetings  have  been  made  of  particular 
interest  and  value  by  addresses  given  from  time  to  time 
by  Dr.  DeNormandie  and  others.  The  constitution  states 
that  the  object  of  the  club  is  charity;  therefore  much  of  its 
work  has  been  in  raising  money  by  fairs  and  entertainments 
of  various  kinds,  and  in  distributing  this,  as  well  as  clothing 
made  by  the  club,  to  different  charitable  institutions  of 
Roxbury  and  Boston,  besides  helping  individual  cases.  In 
February,  1900,  it  joined  the  Young  People's  Religious  Union, 
which  brought  it  more  in  touch  with  denominational  work. 
The  club  was  never  numerically  large  but  it  filled  an  impor- 
tant place  in  the  church  life  until  1906,  when  it  ceased  to 
exist. 

THE    JOHN    ELIOT    CLUB    OF   ROXBURY 
was  organized  January  9th,  1890.     It  is  composed  of  gentle- 
men of  the  Parish  of  the  First  Religious  Society  over  18  years 
of  age,  who  meet  three  times  a  year  for  the  purpose  of  per- 
sonally meeting  Dr.  DeNormandie   and  to  listen   to  papers 


372  THE   FIFTH    MEETING   HOUSE 

or  addresses  upon  works  or  questions  connected  with  the 
Parish  or  denominational  or  social  interests. 

Meetings  of  the  Club  are  customarily  held  on  the  first 
Thursday  of  December  and  February  and  the  second  Thurs- 
day of  April.  They  generally  consist  of  a  dinner  at  some 
quiet  Boston  hotel,  after  which  the  assembled  members  and 
their  guests  are  addressed  by  such  speakers  as  have  been 
arranged  for  the  meeting  by  the  Council,  which  is  the 
governing  committee  of  the  club. 

It  is  the  custom  of  the  club  to  hold  at  least  one  ladies' 
night  during  the  year,  and  precedent  has  made  this  the 
annual  meeting,  which  comes  on  the  first  Thursday  of  Feb- 
ruary. 

The  first  President  of  the  club  was  Samuel  Little.  He 
was  succeeded  by  John  Tetlow.  Since  Mr.  Tetlow's  term 
of  office,  the  Presidents  have  been  Azariah  Smith,  James  C. 
Davis,  Robert  C.  Metcalf,  W,  Prentiss  Parker,  and  Alfred 
Bunker. 

There  are  two  Vice  Presidents,  a  Secretary,  a  Treasurer, 
and  an  Executive  Committee  of  six  members  who  held 
office  for  three  years,  two  being  elected  each  year.  The 
Officers  and  Executive  Committee,  a  body  of  eleven,  constitute 
the  Council. 

The  records  of  the  meetings  of  the  club  are  full  of  inter- 
est. Prominent  men  religiously,  educationally,  and  politi- 
cally have  been  guests  of  the  Club,  and  their  addresses  have 
been  a  source  of  great  benefit  to  the  members  attending. 

Although  a  variety  of  subjects  have  been  discussed  before 
the  meetings  of  the  Club,  yet  the  predominant  idea  has  been 
to  keep  the  Club  as  distinctly  a  religious  club  as  possible. 


in r"-  ■"■""    ' 

'' 

m 

1 

1 

S 

z  III  i        '* 

St 

JOHN    ELIOT'S    CHAIR. 


APPENDIX 


On  Sunday  evening,  March  17,  1907,  the  First  Parish  in  Dorchester 
graciously  presented  to  the  First  Church  in  Roxbury  a  chair  once  be- 
longing to  the  Apostle  Eliot,  accompanied  by  a  most  interesting  service. 

The  presentation  was  made  by  Rev,  Eugene  R.  Shippen,  Pastor  of  the 
First  Parish  Chm-ch  in  Dorchester,  and  accepted  by  Rev.  James  De  Nor- 
mandie,  D.D.,  our  pastor.  The  chair  had  been  placed  by  the  Rev. 
Thaddeus  Mason  Harris,  D.D.,  in  the  Dorchester  meeting  house.  After 
the  services,  the  chair,  a  copy  of  Eliot's  Indian  Bible  and  the  Church 
records,  written  by  him,  were  placed  on  exhibition.  On  the  pidpit  rail 
were  placed  slips  of  ivy  taken  from  the  church  in  England  in  which 
John  Eliot  was  christened. 

LINES  WRITTEN  BY  A  MEMBER  OF  THE  DORCHESTER  CHURCH 
It  came  to  us  from  early  days. 

Perchance  from  English  carver's  hands; 
In  rude  and  simple  fashion  made, 
A  rehc  of  our  past  it  stands. 

Severe  its  outUne,  speaking  plain 

Of  work  and  hard  New  England  fare. 

No  welcome  here  for  idleness. 
No  frame  for  ease  this  ancient  chair. 

Dim  through  the  mists  of  vanished  years. 

A  rugged  face  we  seem  to  see, 
A  shad'wy  figure  sitting  there. 

The  red  man's  gospel  on  his  knee. 

Content  the  gentle  preacher's  smile. 

Deep  in  his  eyes  a  happy  light,  — 
This  man  of  God,  whose  record  runs, 

"High  piety  and  learning  bright." 

Well  pleased  he  looks  to  find  his  name 

And  memory  still  burning  clear, 
Glad  that  through  him  another  bond 

Should  knit  the  two  old  churches  dear. 

Take  then  our  treasure,  place  it  here. 

Its  rightful  home,  and  may  we  see 
Old  Dorchester  and  Roxbm-y  live 

In  constant  love  and  unity. 


INDEX 


Abbot,  Matilda  Campbell,  332. 

Rebecca,  134. 

Rev.  INIr.,  166,  167,  178. 
Accers,  John,  69. 
Accor,  Sister,  125. 
Acrees,  John,  62. 

Desire-Truth,  62. 
Adams,  J.  D.,  284. 

Abby  Bartlett,  327. 

Abby  (Pond-Richardson),  202. 

Abigail  (Mears),  175. 

Abigail  P.,  292. 

Amos,  4,  109,  145,  153,  154,  155, 
156,  157,  159,  163,  164,  174, 
178,  187,  238,  338,  339. 

Daniel,  129. 

Edward  Williams,  329. 

Elizabeth,  196. 

Ehzabeth  (Prentiss),  175. 

George,  287. 

Henry,  175. 

James,  261 ,  329,  344. 

Jemima  (Morse),  175. 

Joseph,  129. 

Mary,  129,  261,  329. 

Mary  Ann  (Leach),  287. 

Mary  Perrin,  329,  364. 

Rachel  (Lyon),  202. 

Rebecca,  130. 

Roger,  130. 

Sarah,  129.  303. 

Sarah  (Chaimcy),  175. 

Sarah  May  (Holland),  292. 

Theoda  Hunnewell,  329. 

Thomas,  200,  252. 


Adams,  Ursula,  46. 

Walter  A.,  348. 

Zabdiel,  202,  292. 

Zabdiel  Boylston,  292,  344. 
Aggar,  Lettese,  17,  44. 
Alcock,  Esther,  129,  130. 

George,  1,  4, 43, 44, 45. 

John,  13,  43,  59. 

Palsgrave,  73. 

Samuel,  43. 

Sarah,  59. 

Wife  of  George,  43. 
Alden,  Rebecca  Newell,  309. 
Alexander,  Edith,  274. 
Allen  Cah-in,  275. 

Caroline,*  364. 

Etta  J.,  348. 

Jacob,  207,  275,  316,  330,  342, 
344,  351. 

Mary,  127. 

Mr.,  72. 

Nancy,  285. 

Richard,  201. 

Sybil,  269. 

Sibyl  (Willett),  207. 
Allyn,  Dr.,  247. 

Am.  Unitarian  Association,  345,  355. 
Ames,  Fisher,  279. 

Samuel,  345. 

Sarah, 135. 
Amory,  Anna  Powell  Grant  (Sears), 
332. 

Frances  Elizabeth,  303. 

Rebecca,  307. 

William,  274,  332. 


375 


376 


INDEX 


Anderson,  Gowen,  55. 

Thomas  D.,  230. 

Wife  of  Gowen,  55. 
Andrews,  Agnes  Quincy,  270. 

Fanny  Mackay  (Reynolds),  319. 

Katharine  Hamilton,  270. 

Samuel,  85. 

Thomas,  63. 

Wife  of  Thos.,  63. 

William  Turell,  309,  319. 
Andross,  Edmund,  90. 
Appleton,  Catherine  (Lawrence), 323. 

Charles  Tilden,  323. 

Mary  Ann  Louisa  (Smith),  305. 

Mary  Grave  (Barker),  323. 

IVIr.,  343. 

William  Channing,  214,  305. 
Archer,  Caroline  E.,  321. 
Aspinal,  Aspinall,  Aspinwall  — 

Caleb,  199. 

Eleazer,  130. 

Elizabeth,  124. 

Mary,  128. 

Mehitable,  124. 

Nathaniel,  124. 

Peter,  61,  69,  124. 

Remember  (Palfrey),  61. 

Samuel,  124. 

Sarah,  127. 

Thomas,  73,  125. 
Astwood,  James,  55. 

John,  51. 

Martha,  51. 

Sarah,  55. 
Atkins,  Joane,  57. 
Atkinson,  Anna  Greenleaf  (Sawyer), 
330. 

Amos,  330. 

LUian,  349. 
Atwell,  Adeline  (Prentice),  326. 

Pickering,  326. 
Austin,  Elizabeth,  311. 

Mr.,  228,  344. 

Richard,  262. 
Avery,  Nancy,    283. 
Ayer,  Ayers,  Ayres  — 

Adams,  209,  214,  252,  281,  353. 

Adin,  206. 


Ayer,  Ayers,  Ayres  — 
Elizabeth,  189. 
John,  252. 

Martha  Augusta  (Hinkley),  252. 
Solomon,  189. 
Susannah  (Emerson),  252. 

Babb,  Dorcas,  203. 
Babcock,  Davad  Marks,  348. 
Babson,  Miss,  364. 
Bacon,  Abiel,  128. 

Asenath,  202. 

Augustus,  267,  273. 

Dorothy,  128. 

Eben,  300. 

Ehza,  365. 

Eliza  Ann  Hales,  331. 

Elizabeth,  267. 

Elizabeth  Moore  (Lothrop),  273. 

Elizabeth  W.,  270,  317. 

Ehzabeth  (Wyman),  273. 

Emily  D.,  268. 

G«orge,  199. 

Hephzibah,  199. 

Horace,  215,  269,  287,  290. 

Jacob,  128. 

Margaret,  264. 

Mary,  64,  127,  128. 

Mary  P.,  287. 

Miranda,  267. 

Miranda  (Wood),  290. 

Patience,  132. 

PliiUp,  132. 

Susan  Gilchrist  (Low),  300. 

Thomas,  64,  65. 

WilUam,  229,  267,  273,  277,  289, 
351. 
BayUes,  A.  S.,  356. 
Baily,  Bailey,  Bayley  — 

Aima,  133,  134. 

James,  74,  127. 

John,  129. 

Samuel,  134. 
Baker,  A.  W.,  365. 

Abigail,  119. 

Amy,  262. 

Amy  (Williams),  206. 

Anne,  128. 


INDEX 


377 


Baker,  Benjamin,  193. 

Betsey,  305. 

Calvin,  262. 

Da\aci,  206,  262,  277,  843. 

Elizabeth,  57. 

Francis,  325. 

Hannah,  135. 

Hannah  (Geegins),  206. 

John,125. 

Joseph,  124. 

Lydia  May  (Vose),  325. 

Maxy,  120, 123, 124, 127,  263,  364. 

Mary  Elizabeth,  267,  335. 

Mr.,  141. 

N.  E.,  365. 

Nabby,  205. 

Nicholas,  52. 

Rhoda,  289. 

Robert,  120,  126. 

Sarah,  127. 

Thomas,  57,  124,  135. 
Balch,  Agnes  Love  (Greene),  304. 

Benjamin,  228. 

Joseph  Williams,  304. 

Maria  (Hallet),  304. 

Nabby,  266. 
Baldwin,  Ehza,  365. 

EUzabeth  Anne  (Gushing),  278. 

Elizabeth  O.,  265. 

Helen  Sophia  (HHl),  278. 

Luke,  276,  278. 

Sarah  Collins,  286. 
Ball,  Helen  Sophia  (Rogers),  275. 

Mary  Vila,  305. 
Ballard,  Elizabeth,  49,  51. 
Bancroft,  Frederick  W.,  350. 
Bangs,  Benjamin,  290,  358. 

Charlotte  Augusta,  290. 

Edward  D.,  225. 

Mary  E.,  331. 

Mary  Nye,  281. 

Sophia  (Nye),  290. 

William  A.,  331. 
Bardakin,  Hannah,  265. 
Barden,  Julia,  347. 
Barker,  Mary  Grave,  323. 

IVIrs.,  58. 

Susan,  276. 

Susan  Withers  (Warden),  273. 


Barker,  Wilham  Torrey,  273. 
Barnabee,  Henry  C,  347. 
Barnes,  James  Henry,  269,  278. 

Jane,  259,  290. 

Jane  (Thompson),  202. 

Loring  B.,  346. 

Mary  Viriginia  (Buffington),  278. 

William,  202,  259,  290. 
Barrett,  Ellen  Maria,  270. 

Mary,  296. 

Mary  Greenwood,  322. 
Barry,  Flora  E.,  348. 
Barstow,  Sarah  Foster  (Morton),  301. 

William  C,  301. 
Bartholomew,  J.  G.,  234. 
Bartlett.AbbyKane  (De  Wolf),  293. 

Abigail,  261. 

Abigail  (Williams),  201. 

Ann  D.,  265,  293,  364. 

Ann  Matilda,  296. 

Caroline,  293,  365. 

Caroline  (Pratt),  292. 

Clarissa  (Walker),  288. 

Elizabeth  H.,  306. 

Enoch,  227,  293,  351,  358. 

Hannah  (Everett),  299,  364. 

Hannah  Tilden,  320. 

Henry,  213,  299,  318,  352. 

Hosea,  320. 

Jane,  265,  365. 

John,  201,  227,  228,  229,  261, 281, 
316,  345,  351,  360. 

Levi,  288. 

Mary  Helen,  267. 

Matilda,  364,  367. 

Mrs.  E.,  365. 

Mrs.  J.,  367. 

Rebecca  Gorham,  331. 

Sarah,  265. 

Sarah  B.,  364,  365. 

Sidney,  292. 
Barton,  Sarah,  347. 
Bass,  Basse — 

Ann,  48. 

Mary,  190. 

Samuel,  48. 
Bates,  Alice  May,  349. 

Dr.,  88. 

Edward  Carrington,  266,  321. 


378 


INDEX 


Bates,  Elizabeth  Ames,  278. 

Joshua,  360. 

Mary  C,  266. 

Mary  Carolme  (Cook),  321. 
Baumbach,  Adoph,  346.  347. 
Baxter,  Gregorie,  46. 

Hannah,  174. 

Margaret  (Paddy),  46. 
Beal,  Ehzabeth,  304. 
Beattie,  Amelia  Ladd,  295. 

Wilham  Addison,  295,  353. 
Bearce,  Job,  196. 
Bedouna,  Lydia  (Crafts),  129. 

Thomas,  129. 
Beers,  Mary,  269. 
Belcher,  Joseph,  112. 

Rebeckah,  112. 
Belknap,  Charles,  167,  196. 

Isaac,  198. 

Jeremy,  342. 

Mary,  196. 
Bell,  Margaret,  303. 

Thomas,  10,  52,  159. 

Wife  of  Thomas,  52. 
Benjamin,  Mary,  190. 

Susan  Margaret,  334. 
Bennett,  Bennet,  Bennit — 

Charles  H.,  350. 

Jolm,  63. 

Mary,  64. 

Susanna,  63,  65. 
Bent,  Elizabeth,  261. 
Bernard,  Elizabeth,  131. 
Berry,  Augustus  Daniel,   268,   318, 
328. 

Mary  Adeline,  318. 

Mary  Adeline  (Farnham),  328. 

Mary  E.,  268. 
Bicknal,  Bicknell — 

Capt.,  220. 

Harriet,  364. 

Humphrey,  171, 201, 229,  263, 291. 

Jemima,  263. 

Jemima  (Jackson),  201. 
Bidford,  Rebecca,  186. 
Bigelow,  Jonathan,  322. 
Sarah  (Brooks),  322. 
Bilbo,  Edward,  135. 


Bilbo,  Elizabeth,  135. 
Bills,  Harriet  (Colburn),312. 

Shubael,  312,  324. 
Billings,  Hester,  266. 

Hester  (Gill),  305. 

Samuel,  292,  305,  358. 
Binney,  Josephine  (Hayward),  334. 

Henry  Prentice,  334. 

Matthew,  271,  286,  326. 
Birchard,  Bircharde  — 

Mary,  52. 

Thomas,  52. 
Bird,  James,  192. 
Bishop,  Lyddia,  127. 

Sarah,  188. 

Thomas,  122. 
Black,  Louis  E.,  350. 
Blackburn,  Elizabeth,  54. 

William,  54. 
Blackman,  James,  261. 
Blake,  Ann  Boylston  (Cunningham), 
327. 

Hannah,  130. 

James,  260. 

Samuel  Parkman,  270,  299,  322, 

327,  328,  352. 
Sarah  P.,  267. 

Blanchard,    Abigail     Roe     Dalton, 
330. 
Ann  Isabel,  265,  330,  332. 
Augusta  Woodbury,  267. 
Charles,  265,  330. 
Charles  H.,  303. 
Charlotte  Augusta,  267. 
Charlotte  (Porter),  296. 
Harriet,  262,  301,  332,  365. 
Harriet  (Lambert),  306. 
Hezekiah,  266,  296. 
Mary  Elizabeth,  267. 
Mary  Elizabeth  (Seaver),  328. 
Mary  (Elliot),  306. 
Mary  E.  (Stevenson),  303. 
Susan,  365. 
William,  214,  262,  301,  306,  315, 

328,  332,  344. 
Blaney,  Aaron,  148,  162,  196. 

Abigail,  201. 
Ann  H.,  267. 


INDEX 


379 


Blaney,  Anna,  263. 

Anna  (Curtis),  203. 

Catherine,  289. 

Catherine  (Mears),  198. 

Charles     Pierpont,  278,  352. 

Mary,  199,  205. 

Samuel,  203,  300. 

William,  148,  156,  171,  190,  198, 
212,  217,  289,  342,  343. 
Blendell,  Sophia  M.,  345. 
Bliss,  Elijah,  199. 

Harriet,  334. 

Rebecca,  199. 
Blott,  Mary,  47. 
Boardman,  Bordman. 

Andrew,  133. 

Mary  M.,  270. 

Sarah,  133. 

William  S.,  270. 
Boit,  Edward  Darley,  290. 

Harriet  Auchmuty  Howard,  326. 

Jane  Parkinson  (Hubbard),  290. 
Bodoono,  Ebenezer,  143. 

Joseph,  187. 
Boltstone,  Mary,  62. 
Bond,  George  William,  300. 

Louisa   C.  (Greenwood),   300. 

Sophia  Augusta  (May),  300. 

William  S.,  269. 
Borden,  Marietta  Hathaway,  287. 
Borland,  Mary  Langdon,  274. 
Bosson,  Abigail,  187. 

Deborah,  192. 

Eleanor,  188. 

John,  188. 

Mary,  133,  193. 

Nancy  Brown,  205. 

Prudence  (Mayo),  292. 

Suky,  304. 

Susanna  (Mayo),  292. 

William,  132,  140,  143,  160,  210, 
211,  212,  220,  292,  338. 
Boston,  3. 

Bosworth,  William  Wells,  238. 
Boughey,  Elizabeth,  57. 
Bourne,  Gerard,  58. 
Bowditch,   Eliza   Boardman  Inger- 
soll,  292. 


Bowditch,  Elizabeth  Brown,  280. 

Elizabeth  Brown  (Francis),  284. 

Galen,  301,  352. 

Nathaniel  Ingersoll,  280,  284. 

Sally  (Davenport),  301. 
Bowdoin,  Governor,  309. 

James,  158,  338. 

William,  150. 
Bowen,  Boven,  Bowin,  Bowing  — 

Abigail,  125,  198. 

Catherine  French,  327. 

Elizabeth,  60,  122,  132. 

Hannah,  128,  131. 

Isaac,  128. 

Johnson,  157,  159,  162,  167,  192, 
193. 

Joshua,  168,  195,  198. 

Margaret,  55,  124. 

Mary,  125,  196. 

Mehitable,  192. 

Pennel,  126. 

Samuel,  168,  196. 

Sevanus,  331. 
Bower,  John,  206. 
Bowles,  Catheriue  Gushing  (Lincoln), 
298. 

Catherine  L.,  266. 

Dorothy,  56,  116. 

Elizabeth  (Heath),  116,  117. 

Fanny  M.  (Darracott),  303. 

Frances  (Burrows),  296. 

John,  24,  56,  67,  81,   116,   117, 
120,  121,  129,  135,  140. 

Leonard  Crocker,  298,  303,  322, 
326,  334. 

Lyddia,  129. 

Martin  Lincoln,  303. 

Mary,  64,  133. 

Mary  Elizabeth,  327. 

Sarah,  116,  123. 

Sarah  (Eliot),  117. 
Bowman,  Jonathan,  196. 

Lucy,  294. 

Lucy  (Sumner),  304. 

William,  147,  162,  304. 
Boyd,  Margaret  Curry,  323. 
Boyles,  Rev.  Mr.,  158. 


380 


INDEX 


Boyce,  Boyse,  Bowis  — 

Elizabeth,  53. 

Johanna,  54. 

Matthew,  54. 

Wife  of  Matthew,  54. 
Boylston,  Boistan  — 

Anne,  128. 

Mary,  124. 

Peter,  128. 

Rebecca,  128. 

Susanna,  185. 

Thomas,  69,  121,  123. 
Boynton,  Ahneria  Rosaline,  294. 
Brackett,  Brakket  — 

Elizabeth,  126. 

Sarah,  124. 
Bradford,   Charles   Frederick,   266, 
293,309,321. 

Edward  H.,  270. 

Eleanor,  247. 

Eliza  Edes  (Hickling),  309. 

Fanny  Gore,  270. 

Grace,  270. 

Mrs.  Samuel  D.,  282,  302. 
Bradlee,  Bradley  — 

Adeline  D.,  332. 

Agnes  Love,  272. 

Edward  W.,  263,  277,  351. 

Emily  Penelope,  306. 

Elizabeth  Weld  (Williams),  277. 

Frederick  Hall,  325. 

Harriet,  308. 

Joshua, 195. 

Lemuel,  198,  262. 

Lucy,  325. 

Lucretia  (Wainwright),  325. 

Mary,  261,  312. 

Mary  (Hickhng),  305. 

Sarah,  195,  263,  364. 

Sarah  Davenport,  254. 

Sarah  Davis,  265. 

Sarah  (Davis),  277. 

Wife  of  Lemuel,  198. 

William,  356. 


Bradstreet,       Charlotte 
(Bangs),  290. 
Governor,  72. 
Mercy,  72. 


Augusta 


Bradstreet,  Samuel,  290. 
Braid,  John  Bryant,  204. 
Brand,  George,  57. 

Martha  (Heath),  57. 

Matthew,  124. 
Brewer,  Bruer  — 

Abigail  (Stone),  271. 

Ami,  58. 

C,  365. 

Daniel,  48,  58,  61,  123,  126. 

David,  176. 

Ebenezer,  169,  203,  210,  211,  212, 
218,  306,  312. 

Eliab,  228. 

Eliza,  343. 

Elizabeth,  61,  306. 

Elizabeth  (Ruggles),  196. 

Elizabeth  (Wliite),  203. 

Gardner,  271,  334,  358. 

G.  L.,  228. 

Hannah,  61,  122. 

Joanna,  48,  122. 

John,  168,  192. 

Mary,  306. 

Mary  (Foster),  203. 

Mary  (Weld),  271. 

Nathaniel,  61,  65,  123,  124,  200. 

Rebecca,  306. 

Sarah,  118,  123,  126. 

Susan  Curtis,  293. 

Susarma  Davenport,  273. 

Thomas,  213,  228,  229,  230,  271, 
314,  334,  351,  358. 

Wife  of  Nathaniel,  200. 

William,  306,  312. 
Brewster,  Frances,  294. 
Brick  School  House,  142. 
Bridge,  Bridges  — 

Edward,  54. 

Helen  Maria,  319, 

John,  61. 

Mary,  54,  126. 

Prudence,  61,  118,  122. 
Briggs,  Charles,  265,  320. 

Eliza  (Casey),  320. 

Elizabeth,  265. 

Elizabeth  G.,  266. 

Harriet,  268. 

Mr.,  356,  366. 


INDEX 


381 


Brigham,  E.,  364. 

Lucy  (White),  315. 

Stephen,  259,  315. 
Bright,  Ann,  60. 
Brinley,  Ann  Matilda,  265. 

Ann  Matilda  (Bartlett),  296. 

Edward,  229,  281,  296. 
Brintneal,  Jonathan,  198. 

Polly,  198. 
Bromfield,  Edward,  155, 
Brookline,  69,  73,  74. 
Brooks,  Eunice,  261. 

Helen,  331. 

John  Graham,  209,  236,  237,  244, 
355,  356,  368,  370. 

Kendall,  223,  261. 

Sarah,  322. 
Brown,  Browne  — 

Daniel,  197. 

Elizabeth,  128. 

Emily  I.,  268. 

John  Coffin  Jones,  293. 

Lydia  Nowell,  323. 

Martha,  128. 

Mehittabel,  128. 

Samuel,  246. 

Timothy  Dexter,  261. 
Bruce,  Bruse  — 

Sarah  (Brewer),  118. 

Thaddeus,  199. 
Bryant,  Joseph  B.,  324. 
Buckman,  Lucretia,  306. 
Buckmaster,  Bukmaster,  Buckmin- 
ster — 

Elizabeth,  62. 

Joseph,  62,  123,  127. 

Mary,  124. 
Buffinton,  Eugene  I.,  269. 

Jonathan,  284,  305. 

Mary  Ann  (Chiu-chill),  305. 

Mary  Virginia,  268,  278. 
Bugbe,  Bugbee,  Bugbey,  Bugby  — 

Abigail,  132,  135. 

Asa,  228,  262,  288,  343,  351. 

Daniel,  135,  139,  159,  192. 

Ebenezer,  167,  196,  288,  343. 

Edward,  62,  124. 

Elizabeth,  185. 

Experience,  120. 


Bugbe,  Bugbee,  Bugbey,  Bugby  — 

Jane,  288. 

Joanna,  128. 

John,  120. 

Joseph,  120,  123. 

Judith,  46. 

Mary,  128,  191. 

Mary  (White),  196. 

Miss,  345. 

Nancy,  272. 

Rebecca,  124. 

Richard,  46. 

Samuel,  221. 

Sarah,  128. 

Wife  of,  63. 

William,  192. 

,  63. 

Bull,  Henry,  53. 

Bullard,  Alfred  Monson,  211,  306. 

Chas.,  351. 

Magdalen,  59. 

Sarah,  124. 
Bulkley,  John,  113. 
Bumstead,  Bumsted  — 

Frances  (Gore),  292. 

John,  268,  292. 

Sarah  (Gore),  292. 

Susanna,  56. 

Thomas,  56. 
Bunker,  Alfred,  323,  372. 

Charles,  271. 

Judith  (Folger),  271. 
Burbank,  Alonzo  N.,  309,  310. 
Burden,  Burdon  — 

Mary,  124. 

Sarah,  118,  124. 
Burditt,  Harriot,  262. 

Sally,  262. 
Burhng,  Elizabeth   Lawrence,    306. 
Bur,  Burr  — 

Goodwife,  45. 

Jehu,  45. 
Burnette,  Charlotte  Emeline,  334. 
Burrell,  Burrill  — 

Abigail,  206. 

John,  51. 

IVIrs.,  220. 

Nancy,  205. 

Sarah,  51. 


382 


INDEX 


Burrows,  Frances,  296. 

George,  65. 

Rebecca,  60. 
Burton,  John,  261. 

Louisa,  261. 
Burtt,  David,  261. 

Sally,  261, 
Burying  Ground,  221,  237. 
Butcher,  Sarah,  127. 
Butler,  Buttler  — 

Benjamin,  346. 

Hannah,  130. 

Simeon,  130. 
Butters,  Charlotte,  365. 

Ehza,  365. 

Eloisa  Moureau  (Cormerals),  324. 

Rebecca   Fletcher  White  (Cram) 
324. 

Sophia  Charlotte  (Green),  324. 

William,  324. 

Cabot,  Experience,  133. 

Susan,  319. 
Calder,  Aim,  262. 
Calef,  Lucy,  251. 

Robert,  76. 
Calicott,  Richard,  26. 

Calvin,  88. 
Callender,  Joseph,  228,  287,  351. 
Campbell,  Benjamin  Franklin,  288. 

Mary  (Lilley),  288. 
Capen,  Deacon,  72. 

Mary,  128,  185. 

Mr.,'  228. 
Carder,  Richard,  52. 
Carey,  Cary  — 

Charlotte,  Emehne  (Bumette),334. 

Frances  Taylor  (Wilson),  334. 

Isaac  Harris,  264,  333. 

Nathan  Carruth,  324,  334. 

Phebe  P.,  264. 

Phebe  Phillips  (Pratt),  333. 
Carlton,  Abby,  364. 

Abigail  (Hovey),  286. 

Charlotte  (Howe),  286. 

Guy,  286,  344,  351. 

Harriet,  364. 

Nabby,  286. 


Carmen,  Florence,  46. 

John,  46. 
Came,  Thomas,  349. 
Carret,  Josephine,  356. 
Carter,  Emily  Gorham,  302. 
Casey,  Eliza,  320. 
Castle,  Edith,  350. 
Caswell,  Wm.,  260. 
Cawte,  James,  259. 
Cazneau,  Capt.,  344. 
Chamberlain,    Chamberlin,    Cham- 
berline,  Chamberlayn  — 

Abiel,  130. 

Charles,  W.,  273. 

Hannah,  124. 

Isaac,  345,  346. 

Jakob,  124,  130. 

Mary,  126, 190. 

Richard,  61. 

Sarah,  61. 
Champney,  B.  Loiiisa,  270. 

Charles  S.,  216. 

Ehzabeth,  260,  262,  296. 

Ehzabeth  (Pierce),  288. 

James  Howe,  267,  288,  310,  316, 
333. 

John,   210,   211,   212,   259,   307, 
312,  342,  343,  358. 

Jonathan,  288. 

Lydia,  267. 

Lydia  H.,  270. 

Lydia  (Howe),  312. 

Mary  Ann,  270. 

Misses,  365. 

Rebecca,  194. 

Robert,  193. 

Sarah  M.,  270. 

Sarah  Elizabeth  (Wells),  310. 
Chandler,  Elizabeth,  61,  121. 

Elizabeth  F.,  264. 

Gardner  L.,  264. 

Haimah,  54,  123. 

John,  1,  12,  61,  121,  123. 

Lucretia  C,  264. 

Margarett,  46,  131. 

Mary  Ann,  264. 

William,  54. 
Chapel  Club,  the,  359,  371. 


INDEX 


383 


Chapin,  Cicely,  55. 

Lucinda  Orne,  321. 

Samuel,  55. 
Chapman,  Jonathan,  265,  271,  358. 

Lucinda,  265. 

Lucinda  (Dwight),  271. 
Charitable  Societies,  359  to  371. 
Charnock,  Mr.,  88. 
Charter,  Anne,  129. 
Chase,  Mary,  45. 

William,  45. 
Chauncy,  Charles,  113,  175, 

Sarah,  175. 
Checkley,  John,  112. 
Cheney,  Chaeney,  Chany,  Cheaney, 
Cheany,  Cheeney,  Cheny  — 

Abigail,  131. 

Deborah,  187,  194. 

Ebenezer,  134,  139,  152,  153,  162, 
188. 

Elizabeth,  283. 

John,  52,  123,  132. 

Margaret,  56. 

Martha,  52. 

Mary,  132,  133,  196. 

Samuel,  168,  194. 

Sarah,  261. 

Thomas,  123,  125,  187,  198,  261. 

Wife  of  Thomas,  125. 

William,  56,  61,  81,  123,  150,  160, 
261. 
Cheever,  Almira  C,  329. 

Mr.,  84,  108. 
Chikkerin,  Katherein,  125. 
Child,  Childs,  ChUde  — 

Aaron,  206, 316, 334. 

Benjamin,  60,  69,  123. 

Elizabeth,  119, 124, 125. 

Emmeline  Eames,  282. 

Grace,  125. 

Harriet,  319. 

John  Weld,  296,  343. 

Mary,  60. 

Phineas,  198. 

Polly  (Hall),  206. 

Rebecca,  265. 

Rebecca  (Williams),  276. 

Sarah  (Richards),  296. 


ChOd,  Childs,  Childe  — 
Sophia  Buckland,  290. 
Stephen,  212,  229,  259,  265,  276, 

305,  306. 
Wife  of  Phineas,  198. 
Children's  Mission,  355. 
Chipman,  Elizabeth,  285. 
Choate,  Rebecca,  136. 

Steven,  134. 
Church,  Act  of  Incorporation,  220, 
223. 
admissions,  45  to  65,  71,  76,   120 
to  136,   142,  143,  186  to  207, 
259  to  271. 
aimual  meetings,  226. 
baptisms,  7. 
Bible,  222,  237. 
change  of  creed,  217. 
collections  and  contributions,  10, 

13,  69,  170,  232,  233,  235. 
Covenant,  4. 

donations    and    legacies,   77,  78, 
150,  158,   170,  220,   232,   233, 
236,  256,  257,  258. 
fasts,  8,  9,  12,  13,  70,  160. 
founders  of,  45,  46. 
gathering  of,  4. 
lectures,  8,  153. 
officers,   1,  6,   67,  68,  137,    145 

to  148,  209  to  215. 
propositions  agreed  upon,  11. 
rate,  14,  80,  82,  149,  171. 
services,  5,  220. 
title  changed,  168. 
Churchill,  Mary  Ann,  305. 
Civil  War,  232. 
Clap,  Clapp,  — 
Ann,  246, 258. 
Ann  (Clap),  246. 
Aim  Hawes  (Pierce),  246. 
Benjamin  P.  Cheney,  238,  332. 
Barbara,  52. 
Caleb,  315. 
Elizabeth,  200. 
Jerusha,  240. 

John,  202,  203,  209,  212,  221,  222, 
223,  228,  246,  258,  260,  262, 
309,  316,  328,  344,  351. 


384 


INDEX 


Clap,  Clapp  — 
Lucy,  262. 
Mary  Lane,  274. 
Mary  Whitten,  321. 
Mr.,  354. 

Nancy  (Dorr),  315. 
Noah,  246. 
Priscilla,  260. 
Priscilla  (Holden),    246. 
Roger,  249. 
Sarah  Ann,  262. 
Sarah  W.,  286. 
Sukey,  203. 
Supply,  249. 

Susanna  (Robinson),  246. 
Susanna  Robinson,  262. 
Clark,  Clarke  — 
Abigail,  64,  120,  121. 
Chenery,  260,  275,  312,  313,  325, 

343. 
Edith  H.,  270. 
Edward,  131. 
Elizabeth,  58,  60. 
Florence  L.,  269. 
Frances  Cordis,  327,  335. 
Hugh,  60. 

James,  58,  62,  63,  69,  120. 
James  Freeman,  237. 
John,  64,  69,  121,  124. 
John  Jones,  210,  231,  252,  265, 

283,  284,  296,  316,  326,  328, 

351. 
Joseph,  200, 
Lidea,  124. 
Lois  W.,  305. 
Lot,  333. 

Lucy  (Davis),  275. 
Manlius  Stimson,  252,  327,  336. 
Martha,  63. 
Mary,  120,  143. 
Mary  Barnard  (Eaton),  333. 
Mary  Lemist,  267,  284,  356. 
Mercy,  120. 
Percis  Rice,  290. 
Rebecca,  270. 
Rebecca  Cordiss  (Haswell),  264, 

316,  364,  365,  367. 
Sally  M.  (Freeman),  321. 


Clark,  Clarke  — 

Samuel,  143. 

Sarah,  122,  131,  287. 

Scotto,  321. 

Thomas,  145,  147,  163,  167,  168, 
169,  196,  305. 

Uriah,  121,  124. 

Wife  of  Joseph,  200. 

William,  75. 
Cleaves,  Emma  A.,  331. 

Hannah,  122. 

Sarah,  63,  120. 

Widow,  68,  70,  121. 

William,  1,  13,  63,  68,  70. 
Cobb,  Anna  AJmy,  322. 

Ameha  Ladd  (Beattie),  295. 

Samuel   Crocker,   214,   280,   295, 
352. 
Cobbett,  Thomas,  130. 
Coburn,  Catherine,  299. 
Codman,  Elizabeth,  264. 

John,  361. 

Thomas  P.,  266. 
Coffin,  Charlotte  G.,  325. 

Eliza  S.,  280. 

Henry  Peleg,  322. 

Mary  Greenwood  (Barrett),  322. 

Peter,  325. 
CoggeshaU,  John,  48. 

Mary,  48. 
Coggin,  Mary,  56. 
Colburn,  Harriet,  312. 
Cole,  Abigail,  129. 

Mary,  45. 

Robert,  45. 

Sarah,  135,  142. 

Thomas,  135. 
Collar,  Mary  Sibyl,  271. 

Mildred  Averill,  271. 

William  Coe,  250,  276. 
Colligan,  Thomas,  215. 
Cohnan,  Dr.,  101. 
Colson,  Vashti,  314. 
Colton,  Elizabeth,  122. 
Comins,  Annie  V.,  356. 

Helen  T.,  356. 

L.  B.,  356. 

Linus  Bacon,  331. 


INDEX 


385 


Comins,  Mary  Barker,  331. 
Communion  Table,  256  to  271, 
Compton,  John,  50. 

Susanna,  50. 
Comstock,  Martha,  330. 

Cook, ,  347. 

Charles  Edward,  333. 
Clarence  C,  266. 
Elizabeth  White  (Wells),  333. 
Jonathan  Freeman,  260,  300. 
Mary  Caroline,  321. 
Mary  (Little),  300. 
Coolidge,  Coolege  — 
Elizabeth  Lydia,  303. 
Lydia,  194. 
Obadiah,  187. 
Sarah,  193. 
Cooms,  Hepsibah,  130. 

Richard,  130. 
Cooper,  Ann  D.,  coir.,  267. 
Rev.  Dr.,  166,  167. 
Samuel,  178. 
Converse,  Rufus,  261. 
Copeland,  Benjamin  Franklin,  213, 
228,  280,   281,  282,   288,  320, 
334,  351. 
Charles,  229,  277,  282. 
Juha    Fellowes     (Ruggles),    241, 

264,  280,  364. 
Susan  Rogers  (Sprague),  282. 
WilUam  Ellery,  268. 
Corban,  Clement,  69. 
Corey,  Mr.    168. 
Corlet,  Elijah,  86,  87. 
Cormerals,  Eloisa  Moureau,  324. 
Cornewell,  Joane,  50. 

William,  50. 
Cornish,  James,  192. 
Corporal,  Louisa,  345. 
Cotterel,  Benjamin,  195. 

Mary,  195. 
.Cotting,  Benj.  E.,  266. 

Catherine  G.,  266. 
Cotton,  Elizabeth,  124. 
John,  8,  21,  36,  41,  85. 
Coverly,  Mary  Dwight,  296. 
Craft,  Crafts,  Crofts  — 
Abigail,  59,  200. 
Abigail  (Kent),  245. 


Craft,  Crafts,  Crofts  — 
Alice,  46,  127,  128. 
Benjamin,  128. 
Daniel,  245. 
Dorcas  (Ruggles),  46. 
Ebenezer,  135,  139,  145,  155,  167, 
185,   188,  209,   213,  228,   245, 
260,  262,   297,  313,  322,  339, 
343,  351,  358. 
Ehzabeth,  78,  120,  123,  124,  127, 

131,  132,  133,  142. 
Elizabeth  (Melhsh),  206. 
Ehzabeth  (Seaver),  62. 
Ehzabeth  (Weld),  185. 
Emily  A.,  355. 
Emily  (Doggett),  297. 
Emily  Doggett,  269,  271. 
Eunice  (Dowse),  206. 
Griffith,  46. 
Hannah,  119,  123. 
Jolm,  61,  123,  125,  132. 
Jonathan,  133,  167. 
Joseph,  125,  131,  206. 
Louise  A.,  269. 
Lydia,  129. 
Mary,  124. 
Mehittabel,  127,  132. 
Moses,  62,  69,  120. 
Nathaniel,  80,  128. 
Patience,  128. 
Priscilla,  194. 
Rebecca,  61,  62,  120. 
Samuel,  62,  132,  148. 
Sarah,  125,  126,  133,  194. 
Sarah  Heath  (Jones),  245,   262, 

364,  366. 
Susanna,  131,  135,  136,  191,  304. 
Susanna  (White),  185.  . 
Thankful,  133. 
Ursula  (Adams,  Hosier,  Streeter), 

Robinson,  46. 
Wilham  Augustus,  297. 
Wilham  Francis,  209. 
Cragin,  Abigail  Roe  Dalton  (Blan- 
chard),  330. 
Henry  Fullerton,  330. 
Cram,  Rebecca  Fletcher  WTiite,  324. 
Crawley,  Abraham,  215,  221. 
Crehore,  Eimice  Elizabeth,  280. 


386 


INDEX 


Crocker,  Lucy  J.,  287. 
Crooker,  Ralph,  287,  351. 

Marietta  B.  H.,  302. 

Marietta  Hathaway  (Borden),  287. 
Crosby,  Deborah,  204. 

Mary  EUzabeth  (Bowles),  327. 

Nancy,  200. 

Sarah  E.  (Lincobi),  335. 

Samuel  T.,  322,  335. 

William,  210,  211,  214,  304,  322, 
324,  327,  352,  355. 
Cross,  Vera,  347,  348. 
Crossman,  Geo.  H.,  265. 

Hannah,  265. 

L.  A.,  346. 
Croxford,  Mr.,  164. 

Samuel,  148,  163,  196. 
Crirft,  Florence  Lemist,  305. 

Isaac  Smith,  285. 

Mary  Powers   (Nichols),  285. 
Cummings,  Henry,  360. 
Cummens,  Mary,  268,  364. 

Polly  (Mayo),  202. 

Sarah,  268,  302,  364. 

William,  202,  278,  302. 
Cunningham,  Ann  Boylston,  327. 

Caleb  Loring,  328. 

Catherme  Hays,  268,  285. 

Catharine  Hays  (Howard),  322. 

Clementina  (Trufant),  328. 

Eliza,  302. 

Elizabeth  H.,  268. 

H.,  229. 

James,  268,  322,  329. 

Lois,  196. 

Sarah,  299. 

Susannah,  198,  306. 
Currier,  Lois,  295. 
Curtis,  Curtiss  — 

Anne,  190,  203. 

Benjamin,  142,  151,  160. 

Benj.  B.,  344. 

Bethia  (Parker),  277. 

Emily  (Dore),  310. 

Francis,  334. 

Franklin,  310. 

Hanna,  64,  118,  133,  286. 

Harriet,  276. 

Harriet  (Bliss),  334. 


Curtis,  Curtiss — 

Isaac,  64,  80,  124,  132,  140,  190, 
261,  303. 

John,  64,  147,  151,  167,  259,  312. 

Jonathan,  126. 

Joseph,  142,  277,  315,  338. 

Margaret  (Bell),  303. 

Mary,  54,  136. 

Mary  Hohnes,  287. 

Mary  S.  (Hyde),  278. 

Mehitabel,  128,  132,  260. 

Moses  Davis  Rice,  148. 

Nelson,  278. 

Philip,  136. 

Rebecca,  64,  197,  199. 

Sally  (Heath),  303. 

Samuel,  133,  199. 

Sarah  B.  (Lewis),  310. 

Sarah  (Eliot),  48. 

Susaima,  128. 

Thomas,  260,  315. 

Widow  of  Philip,  120. 

William,  48. 
Cushing,  Ann  Eliza,  313. 

EUzabeth  Anne,  278. 

Sarah,  346. 
Cutting,  Ephraim,  207. 

Daggett,  Doggett  — 

Ann    Eliza  (Cushing,    Webster), 
313. 

Elizabeth,  289. 

Elizabeth  (Sumner),  201. 

Elizabeth  Sumner,  294. 

Emily,  297. 

Henry  Lefrelet,  286,  331. 

Jesse,  201,  289, 296, 312. 

John,  313,  342,  343. 

Lois  (Curi-ier),  295. 

Mary,  311. 

Mary  Jones,  313. 

Samuel,  295,  343. 

Sarah  Eliza  (Williams),  331. 

Sarah  W.,  270. 

Sophia  (Miller),  313. 
Dana,  Abigail,  307. 

Francis,  158,  193,  344. 

Hannah,  200. 

Martha,  191, 194. 


INDEX 


387 


Dana,  Mary  Elizabeth,  266. 

Thomas,  167,  187,  191,  197. 
Danforth,  Caroline  S.,  254. 

Charles  Jar\'is,  330,  352. 

Elizabeth,  38. 

John,  41,  72,  122. 

Mary,  60,  122. 

Mary  (Wilson),  41. 

Nicholas,  38. 

Samuel,  1,  9,  11,  16,  38  to  41,  59. 
70,  108. 

Sarah  Elizabeth  (Robbins)  330. 
Darracott,  Fanny  M.,  303. 
Dary,  George  Allen,  210,  317,  333, 
353. 

Elizabeth  (Tattle)  333. 
Davenport,  Abigail  B.,  313. 

Charles  Jarvis,  330. 

EHzabeth  Wjman   (Bacon),  317. 

James,  317,  322. 

James  Henry,  317. 

Peggy,  304. 

Rebecca,  132. 

Sally,  301. 

Samuel,  131. 

Sarah  Adams  (Wiswell),  322. 

Sarah  (Adams),  317. 

Sarah  Elizabeth  (Robbins),  330. 
Davis,  A.,  365. 

Aaron,  134,  147,  157,  159,  160, 
162,  169,  191,  195,  205,  261, 
278,  286,  308,  364. 

Abiel,  73,  124. 

Abigail,  123,  124,  193. 

Adeline,  332. 

Alice,  61. 

Alice  (Paine)  288. 

AUce  (Thorpe),  64. 

Andrew,  335. 

Ann  Wainwright,  289. 

Annie  W.,  269. 

Benjamin  Baker,  345. 

Bethia,  127. 

Bridget,  60. 

Charity,  127. 

Charles,  205,  210,  211,  212,  227, 
228,  229,  278,  305,  307,  308, 
314,  329,  343,  351,  358. 

Deborah,  128. 


Davis,  Dorothy,  129,  262. 
Dr.,  221. 

Ebenezer,  134,  139,  162,  190. 
Ehza,  364. 

EHzabeth,  58,  64,  192,  193. 
Elizabeth  (White),  273. 
Ellen  (Pearey),  335. 
Elsey  Fellowes,  249. 
Elsie  Domiell  (Fellowes),  205. 
Emily  P.,  265. 
Emily  (Parker),  303. 
Frances  Elizabeth  (Amory),  303. 
Hannah,  194,  205,  287. 
Hannah  (Pierpont),  195,  245. 
Hannah  (White),  134, 
Harriet,  265,  284. 
Harriet  (Fellowes),  205,  308. 
Horatio,  227,  286,  361. 
Ichabod, 127. 
Increase,  200. 
Isaac,   211,   212,   227,   262,   263, 

273,  307,  317,   332,  342,  343, 

351,  358. 
James  Clarke,  215,  288,  290,  372. 
Jane,  64,  125. 
Joanna,  63. 
John,  64,  120,  122,  123,  125,  126, 

203,  259. 
Jonathan,  123,  159,  164. 
Jonathan  Amory,  265,  289,  303. 
Joseph,  65,  127,  205,  308. 
Lemuel  B.,  204. 
Lucy,  275. 
Maria,  270,  298. 
Maria  Bussey,  297. 
Maria  (Davis),  298. 
Mary,  64,  120,  123,  259,  287. 
Mary  Ann,  330. 
Mary  E.,  266. 
Mary  (Perrin),  134,  135. 
Mary  Vila  (Ball)  305. 
Mary  White,  307,  364. 
Mathew,  126,  163. 
Mercy,  192. 
Misses,  351. 
Moses,   135,   162,   167,   191,   195, 

245,  278,  294,  343. 
N.  W.,  365. 
Nancy,  284. 


388 


INDEX 


Davis,  Noah,  192. 

Paul,  133. 

Polly  (Smith),  24.5. 

Rachel,  124,  133. 

Rebecca,  135. 

Rebecca  (Sharp),  195. 

Richard,  73,  124. 

Salome,  263,  364. 

Salome  (white),  273. 

Samuel,  64,  129. 

Samuel  G.,  329. 

Sally  (Smith),  245. 

Sarah,  65,  125,  126,  132,  134,  185, 
190,  206,  262,  271,  277,  358. 

Stephen  S.,  344. 

Susan,  344,  358. 

Susanna,  162,  262,  286. 

Susanna  (Craft),  191. 

Theoda,  261. 

Theoda  (Williams),  278. 

Tobijah,  60. 

William,  58,  61,  64,  126,  204,  209, 
210,   212,   222,   223,  228,   245, 
257,   258,  259,  262,  285,   298, 
351,  362. 
Dawes,  Sarah  Appleton,  301. 
Deacon,  office  defined,  7. 
Dean,  John,  187. 
Dearborn,  H.  A.  S.,  228,  263,  351. 

Mrs.  H.  A.  S.,  263,  364. 

Sarah,  270,  356. 
Deblois,  Margarita,  291. 
Dedham,  5,  150. 
Dehon,  Carohne  Maria  (Inches),  303. 

William,  303. 
Denison,  Dennison  — 

Bridget,  57. 

Dorothy,  78,  127. 

Edward,  56,  59,  122. 

Elizabeth,  59. 

Elizabeth  (Weld),  56. 

George,  57. 

Hanna,  64. 

Margaret,  65. 

Margret  (Chandler),  46. 

Mary,  64. 

Mrs.,  73. 

Sarah,  64. 

Sister,  65. 


Denison,  Dennison  — 

William,  10,  46,  78,  122. 
DeNormandie,  C.  Y.,  237. 

James,  209,  237,  238,  239,  244, 
370,  371,  373. 

Mrs.,  371. 
Derby,  Sarah  Ellen,  288. 
Devotion,  Deborah,  121. 

Edward,  69. 

Hannah,  120,  124. 

John,  121,  124. 

Martha,  119. 

Sarah,  122. 

Sister,  59. 
Dewey,  Orville,  228,  240. 
De  Wolf,  Abby  Kane,  293. 

John  Langedorff,  307. 

Mary  Ann,  283. 

Mary  White  (Davis),  307. 
Dexter,  Dezter  — 

Ehza,  266. 

Elizabeth  D.,  274. 

Frances,  57. 

Matilda  Campbell,  334. 

Matilda  Campbell   (Abbot),  332. 

Samuel,  266. 

Samuel   Parkman,   332,   334. 
Dickerman,  Caleb,  260. 

Sally,  206, 260. 
Dickson,  Mr.,  141. 
Dillaway,  Charles  Knapp,  174,  209, 
211,   213,  214,   231,   239,   248, 
264,    271,  276,   321,  322,  323, 
325,  354. 

Emma,  344. 

Martha  Ruggles  (Porter),  248. 

Mary  Emma,  264,  268. 

Mary  (Knapp),  248. 

Samuel,  248. 
Dinely,  Hanna,  64. 
Dinsdel,  Dinsdill — ■ 

Abigail,  189. 

Charles,  199. 

Jolm,  189. 
Direton,  Ann,  58. 
Disborough,  Phebe,  51. 

Walter,  51. 
Dixwell,  Eliza  Boardman,  Ingersoll 
(Bowditch),  292. 


INDEX 


389 


Dixwell,  John  James,  284,  292. 
Dodd,  Catherine  H.,  266. 

Catherine  H.  (Perkins),  301. 

George  William,  266,  301,  352. 

John  Augustus,  329. 

Margery,  271. 

Mary  Perrin  (Adams),  329. 

Sarah  (Whittemore),  329. 

Theoda  Hmniewell  (Adams),  329. 
Dorchester,  3,  373. 
Dorr,  Dore  — 

Abigail,  142. 

Anne,  190,  260. 

Caroline  Aurelia  (Humphrey- 
Riley),  309. 

Charlotte,  266. 

Charlotte  P.,  266. 

Dorothy,  132. 

Ebenezer,  129,  132,  135,  140,  152, 
158,  160,  190,  338. 

Edward,  68,  74,  76,  82,  140,  143. 

Eleanor,  192. 

Eliza  (Smith),  301. 

Emily,  310. 

Emily  P.,  266. 

Emily  Penelope  (Bradley),  306. 

Helen  A.,  266. 

John, 199,  294. 

Jonathan,  211,  212,  218,  228,  275, 
281,  284,  285,  300,  301,  305, 
309,  311,  316,  342,  343,  351. 

Joseph,  309,  320. 

Mary,  129,  132. 

Mary  (Hickling) ,  305. 

Moses,  157,  192. 

Nancy,  315. 

Nancy  (Da\is),  284. 

Nathaniel,  210,  227,  262,  266, 
275,  300,  301,  305,  306,  314, 
315,  327,  331,  342,  343,  351. 

Ralph  Smith,  284. 

Sarah,  142. 

Sarah  Whitney  Davis,  283. 

Susan,  262,  314. 

Susan  (Lambert),  306. 

William,  198,  344,  351. 

William  Bradley,  305,  310,  320. 
Doubt,  Sarah,  189. 
Dove,  John,  294. 


Dove,  WilUam,  228,  229,  351. 
Dow,  Abigail,  194. 

Susan,  364. 
Dowell,  Elizabeth,  44,  53. 
Downer,  Eliphalet,  192. 

John,  205. 
Dowse,  Abba,  302. 

Benjamin,  122. 

Eunice,  206. 
Doyle,  Mary,  193. 
Draper,  Benjamin,  136. 

Mary,  136,  142. 

Moses,  122,  123. 

Patience,  125. 

Wife  of  Moses,  125. 
Drew,  Mary,  121. 
Druce,  John,  65,  127, 

Mary,  65. 
Druer,  Daniel,  123. 
Dudley  Aime,  128. 

Abby  W.,  268,  285. 

Betsy,  205. 

Catherine  (Hackburn),  55. 

David,  213,  228,  283,  285,  287, 
335,  351,  358. 

D.,  Mrs.,  364. 

Dorothy,  55,  63. 

Elijah,  201,  289. 

G.  W.,  347,  348. 

Governor,  74,  105,  257,  258. 

Hannah,  134,  285. 

Haimah  (Da\ns),  287. 

Hannah  M.,  267. 

Henry  Alexander  Scammell  Dear- 
born, 215,  327,  330. 

Isabel,  201. 

Isabel  (Weed),  289. 

Joseph,  63,  90,  126,  205,  211,  239, 
308,  330. 

Lucy,  176. 

Lucy  (Wainwright),  127. 

Madam,  153. 

Mr.,  72. 

Paul,  77,  80,  81,  82,  105,  113,  126, 
139,  143, 150, 153, 170,  239. 

Pedy,  324,  330. 

Rebecca  (Tyng),  ^3,  126. 

Redy  (Wliitney),  205. 

Sally,  202. 


390 


INDEX 


Dudley,  Samuel,  261,  273. 

Sarah,  273. 

Susanna  Davenport  (Brewer),  273. 

Thomas,  10,  55,  63,  238,  260. 

William,  75,  162,  168,  239,  273. 
Dudley  St.  Baptist  Church,  223. 
Duff,  Sarah,  188. 
Duglas,  James,  75. 
Duick,  Benjamin,  287,  307. 

Esther  (Weld),  307. 

Hannah  (Gay),  307. 

Mary,  307. 
Dumaresq,  Diunaresque  — 

Margaretta,  267. 

Margarita  (Deblois),  291. 

Philip,  267,  291. 
Diunmer,  Mary,  47. 

Jeremiah,  113. 

Richard,  47. 
Dunbar,  Elias,  315. 
Duncan,  Catherine  E.,  325. 

Deliverance,  121. 

Mary,  124. 
Dunkim,  Samuel,  69. 
Durand,  Louisa,  286. 

Milton,  286,  351. 
Durant,  Charles,  278,  293,  311. 

Nabby  L.,  264. 

Nabby,  Langdon  (Williams),  311. 
Dwight,  Anna  R.,  280. 

Elizabeth  Amelia  (Wliite),  322. 

Elizabeth  Kirkland,  333. 

Josiah,  126. 

Lucinda,  271. 

WilHam,  322. 
Dyer,  Ezekiel  D.,  295. 

Rebecca,  364. 

Rebecca  (Morse),  295. 

Mr.,  228,  351. 

Eagan,  John,  334. 
Eastbiu-n,  John  Henry,  272. 

Susan  Fosdick  (Simmons),  272. 
Eastey,  Easty  — 

Elijah,  201. 

Olive,  288. 

Wife  of  Elijah,  201. 
Eastman,  F.  S.,  228,  351. 

Polly  R.,  267. 


Eastman,  Sally,  364,  366,  367. 

Sally  Patten,  308. 

Mrs.,  365,  366. 
Easton,  Isaac,  322. 

Mary  Ann  Smith,  322. 
Eaton,  Benjamin,  129,  135,  140. 

Ebenezer,  142. 

Mary  Barnard,  333. 

Mercy,  133. 

Nathaniel,  162,  193. 

Sarah,  135. 
Edes,  Eliza  Brown,  310. 

Harriet,  263. 

Harriet  F.,  364. 

Hemy  W.,  347. 
Edgerly,  Walter  H.,  350. 
Edlefson,  Mrs.,  349. 
Edson,  Carl,  271. 

Mary  A.,  270. 

P.  d'Meara,  298. 
Egan,  Louisa  A.,  345. 
Elder,  Lidea,  120. 
Eliot,  Elliott  — 

Ann,  48. 

Anne  (Mumford),  18,  19. 

Benjamin,  19,  62. 

Bemiett,  17,  44. 

Cordelia  (Howe),  329. 

Elizabeth,  51. 

Elizabeth  (Ferian),  44. 

George  Augustus,  329. 

John,  1,  3,  4,  5,  8,  9,  10,  11,  12, 
16,  17  to  38,  39,  42,  44,  48,  58, 
61,  62,  67,  70,  72,  90,  91,  92, 
108,  115,  116,  117,  238,  239, 
256,  336,  354,  360,  372,  373. 

John  Fleet,  329. 

Joseph,  19. 

Lettese  (Aggar),  17,  44. 

Lydia,  59. 

Mary,  118,  306. 

Phihp,  1,  10,  44,  51,  59. 

Rev.  Mr.,  166. 

Samuel,  19. 

Sarah,  48,  61,  117,  122. 
Ellis,  Charles,  309. 

Charles  Mayo,  277,  303,  318, 
331. 

Effie,  331. 


INDEX 


391 


Ellis,  Hannah,  125. 

Harriet  Lucretia  (Lewis),  277. 

Helen  (Thomas) ,  277. 

Maria  (Mayo),  309. 

Nathl,  260. 
Emerson,  Emmerson  — 

R.  W.,  247. 

Susannah,  252. 

William,  201,  360. 
Emmons,  Dr.,  340. 
Erskine,  John,  261. 
Erving,  Abby  S.,  270. 
Estabrooks,  John  Crease,  308,  344. 
Esty,  Nabby  Williams,  251. 
Eustis,  Caroline  Langdon,  309,  351, 
358,  364. 

Mrs.,  366. 

William,  309,  343. 
Evans,  Evens  — 
John,  64,  69. 
Mary,  64. 
Everett,  Anna  Sophia,  235,  299,  367. 

C.  C,  236. 

Edward,  242,  361. 

Eliphalet,  260. 

Hamiah,  299. 

Thomas,  299. 

Fairbairn,  Edith  (Alexander) ,  274. 

Harriet  Lavinia  (Sears),  274. 

Robert  Bruce,  274,  353. 
Fairbanks,  Mary,  264. 

Mary  E.,  364. 

Mrs.,  366.     • 

Wm.  Heiu-y,  264. 
Fairfield,  Martha  (Ruggles),  199. 

John,  199. 
Farley,  Enoch,  130. 
Farnham,  Henry,  58. 

Mary  Adeline,  328. 

Putnam  IngaUs,  335. 

Rebecca,  335. 

Susan  B.,  328. 
Farmer,  Geo.  O.,  345. 
Farnsworth,  Elizabeth,  266. 

Ehzabeth  Loring  (Young) ,  286. 

Mrs.  Geo.  B.,  356. 

Walter,  265,  286. 
Farrington,  George  Lyon,  289. 


Farrington,  Rhoda  (Baker),  289. 

Farrow,  Goodwife,  58. 

Farwell,  Clara  (Richardson),  279. 

Henry  Newton,  279. 

Ohver,  A.,  318. 
Faulkner,  Henry,  322. 

Victoria  G.  (Wheat),  322. 
Faunce,  Abbie  J.  (Trenn),  319. 

George  Burrill,  319,  324. 
Fawer,  Grace,  45. 
Faxon,  Eleb,  221,  297. 

Hannah,  364. 

Lydia,  324,  364. 

Mary,  324,  364. 

Ruth,  297. 

Ruth  Ann  (Hathaway),  297. 
Fearing,  Ann  L.,  263. 

Catherine,  W.,  268. 

Harriet  A.  (WilHams),  319. 

Harriet  Williams,  267. 

Kate,  356. 

Lincoln,  319. 

Theoda  H.,  269. 
Feilder,  Mary,  125. 
Fellowes,  Fellows  — 

Caleb,  227,  250,  251. 

Charlotte,  267. 

Elsie  Donnell,  205. 

Harriet,  205,  308. 

John  W.,  203. 

Nancy  Himt,  272. 

Sally  (Dudley),  202. 

Sarah,  192,  199. 

Susan  Lucy,  291. 
Felton,  Anna  (Jacobs),  186. 

Benjamin,  146. 

Eunice,  197. 

Exercise,  60. 

Hannah,  142. 

Joshua,  145,  167,  169,  186,  192, 
209,  245,  259,  292,  340. 

Lois  (Pattee),  186. 

Mary,  194,  195,  284. 

Mary  (Wardell),  186. 

Nathaniel,    142,    147,    159,    167 
186,  195. 

William,  197. 
Fenner,  Freelove,  292. 
Fenno,  Margaret,  264. 


392 


INDEX 


Ferian,  Elizabeth,  44. 
Fessenden,  Frances  C,  269, 

Heiiry  202. 

John  B.,  268. 

Mary  B.,  269. 

Olive,  202. 
Ffolgier,  Goodman,  12. 
Field,  Elijah,  199. 

Charlotte  E.  (Whiting),  332. 

Joseph,  361. 

Ozias,  265,  332,  351. 
Fillebrown,  Asa,  345. 
Filmore,  Sarah,  264. 
Finch,  Judith,  49. 

Martha,  49. 

Samuel,  49. 
First  Religious  Society  in  Roxbury, 

223. 
Fisher,  Daniel  Simmons,  269. 

Elizabeth  B.,  268. 

Leah,  123. 

Lucretia  (Buckman),  306. 

Mary  Elizabeth,  300. 

Misses,  236. 

Mrs.,  263. 

Nancy  Stimpson  (Simmons),  306. 

Virginia,  271. 

Warren,  306,  358. 
Fisk,  Fiske  — 

Eunice  (White),  291. 

George  Alfred,  286. 

Grace  C,  264. 

Helen  Maria  (Bridge),  319. 

Josiah,  319. 

Samuel,  203. 

Sarah  W.  (Clap),  286. 

Wife  of  Wm.,  262. 

William,  202,  228,  229,  262,  291, 
351. 
Flavel,  Mr,  88. 
Flint,  John  Lydeham,  301. 
Flower,  Mary  Reed,  324. 
Floyd,  Andrew,  192. 
Folger,  Charlotte  A.,  301. 

Judith,  271. 
Follansby,  Joan  D.,  323. 
Forau,  Mary  Ann,  346. 
Forbes,  EUsha,  205,  273. 


Forbes,  John  Murray,  293. 

Nancy  (Burrill),  205. 

Sarah  (Hathaway),  293. 
Ford,  Charles,  327. 

Charles  R.,  348,  349. 

Lois,  327. 
Foster,     Catherine     E.    (Duncan), 
325. 

George  B.,  325. 

Jane,  190. 

John,  360. 

Mary,  203. 

Rufus,  203. 

Sarah,  61. 

Sarah  E.,  270. 

Thomas,  61,  62. 
Fowle,  Ehz.,  262. 

Ehzabeth  (Austin),  311. 

Ellen,  346,  347. 

Hannah,  60. 

Joshua  Bently,  311. 

Joshua  B.,  262,  351. 

IVIr.,  343. 

IVIrs.  George  B.,  346. 

Seth  Augustus,  320. 
Fox,  Abraham,  220. 

CaroUne  M.,  318. 

Charles,  263,  344. 

Ebenezer,  170,  199,  274,  339. 

Mary  Louisa,  263. 

Richard,  191. 
Foxall,  Ann  (Shelly),  47. 
Foxcroft,  Thomas,  110. 
Francis,   Ebenezer,   280,   283,   343, 
351,  358. 

Eben  T.,  264. 

Elizabeth,  264. 

Elizabeth  Brown,  284." 

Elizabeth  Lydia  (Coolidge),  303. 

Ehzabeth  (Thorndike),  283. 

Misses,  364. 

Mrs.  E.,  364. 

Nathaniel,  267,  303. 
Franklin,  Frankling  — 

A.,  348. 

W'illiam,  57. 
Free  Schoole  in  Roxbury,  9,  10 
Freeborne,  Mary,  51. 

William,  51. 


INDEX 


393 


Freeman,  Caroline  Crosby  (Lewis), 
334. 

Philip,  203. 

Polly,  203. 

Rebecca,  203. 

Sally  M.,  321. 

Samuel,  203. 

William  Frederick,  334. 
Freemen,  8. 
French,  Daniel,  305. 

Dorcas,  51. 

Mary  H.,  266. 
Frese,  William,  349. 
Frissel,  Frissell,  Frizal  — 

James,  61. 

Sarah,  61,  124. 
Frothingham,  Caroline,  327. 

Harriet,  327. 

M.,  364. 

Maria  Louisa  (Whitridge),  324. 

Nathaniel  L.,  360. 

Samuel,  324. 
Frost,  John,  129. 
Fuller,  Caroline  Weld,  270. 

Eben,  202. 

Emeline  B.,  268. 

Emily  Gorham  (Carter),  302. 

Henrietta  G.,  269. 

Henry  Weld,  323. 

Horace  Williams,  302. 

John,  345. 

Luther,  202. 

Mary  G.,  269. 

Mary  Storer  (Goddard),  323. 

Priscilla,  198. 
Fullerton,  Barbara,  260. 
Fulton,  Frances  Bums,  320. 

Galloop,  Mary  (Pain),  813 

Richard,  313. 
Gamlin,  Elizabeth  (Mayo),  48. 

Mary,  48. 

Robert,  47,  48. 
Gamut,  Lydia,  187. 
Gai  diner,  Gardner,  — 

Abiel,  130. 

Abigail,  120. 

Andrew,  63,  69,  121. 


Gardiner,  Gardner  — 
Caleb,  129,  130. 
Delia  Ann,  298. 
Eliza,  333. 
Elizabeth,  131. 
Francis,  323. 
Harriet  (Robertson),  333. 
Johanna,  120. 
Joseph,  74,  122,  134. 
Joseph  Henry,  264,  333. 
Joshua,  126. 
Isaac,  187. 

Lydia  Nowell  (Browne),  323. 
Lucy,  128. 
Lucy  (Smith),  56. 
Martha,  130. 
Mary,   121,   122,   126,   128,    129, 

130,  134. 
Mary  Bellowes  (Kingsley),  282. 
Matthew,  204. 
Mrs.,  366. 
Mrs.  M.,  364. 
Peter,  58,  130,  131. 
Rebecca,  58. 
Richard,  140. 
Samuel,  130. 
Samuel   Jackson,   212,   222,   228, 

229,  230,  282,  296, 351, 352, 361. 
Sarah, 63, 12, 129, 131. 
Sarah  S.,  297. 
Thomas,  56,  69,   120,   123,   128, 

130. 
Widdow,  56. 
Gary,  Garee,  Geary  — 
Anne,  61. 
Arthur,  54,  118. 
EUzabeth,  121,  122. 
Frances,  54,  118. 
Hannah,  59,  126. 
Hannah  (Curtis),  118. 
Nathaniel,  61,  125. 
Sarah,  123. 

William,  59,  67,  71,  118,  121. 
Gay,  Aaron,  260. 
Abigail,  302. 
Benjamin  Gilbert,  328. 
Eliza  Kirkland  (Dwight),  333. 
George,  328. 


394 


INDEX 


Gay,  Hannah,  307. 

Joel,  201,  302. 

Lucy,  313. 

Martha,  328. 

Mary,  324. 

Mary  W.,  263. 

Nancy,  328. 

Nettie,  328. 

Olive  Draper,  204. 

Samuel  Seavens,  302. 

Timothy,  263,  314. 

Tryphena  M.  (Gleason),  302. 

William  Brandford  Shubrick,  333. 
Geegins,  Hannah,  206. 
General  Court,  9. 
George,  Abigail,  135. 

Elizabeth,  133. 

Mary,  119,  136. 
Gilbert,  Cordeha  E.  (Perry),  324, 

Horatio,  324. 
Gibson,  M.  E.,  348. 
Gile,  Giles  — 

Samuel,  361. 

John,  142. 
Gill,  Hester,  305. 
Glea-son,  Tryphena  M.,  302. 
Glover,  Frances,  364. 

Gore,  320. 

Rebecca  Putnam  (Page),  334. 

Samuel  Gore,  334. 
Goddard,  Charles  W.,  348. 

Deborah,  127. 

Ebenezar,  312,313,314. 

Frances  Dana,  289. 

Isaac,  260. 

James,  130. 

Joanna,  199. 

John,  130,  140. 

Joseph,  127. 

Lucretia  Dana,  299. 

Mary,  130, 254. 

Mary  A.  G.,  311. 

Mary  Storer,  323. 

Stephen.  206. 

Vashti  (Colson),  314. 

Wife  of  Joseph,  127. 
Gossan  Simon  (negro),  128. 


Goding,  Sarah,  288. 
Goldstone,  Mary,  49. 
Goldthwaight,  Thomas,  46. 
Goad,  Goard  — 

Anna,  126. 

Harmah,  124. 

Joseph,  124. 

Mary,  64. 

Phebe  (Howes),  51. 

Richard,  51,  64. 
Goodwin,  Mrs.  Frank,  348. 
Gookin,  Daniel,  10,  28,  31,  58,  85. 
Gore,  Goare  — 

Abigail  (White),  291. 

Ann  Eliza,  290. 

Anna,  123. 

Catherine  G.,  265,  364. 

Catherine  Gates  (Willard),  282. 

Catharine  W.,  267. 

Charles  Frederick,  296. 

Ebenezer,  133,  143,  198. 

Elizabeth,  124. 

Frances,  292. 

Hannah,  129. 

John,  53,  55,  72,  74,  125,  151. 

Joseph,  198,  310. 

Louisa,  300. 

Mary,  133,  195,  202. 

Mary  R.,  301. 

Meriba  (Thayer),  198. 

Mr.,  57,  78. 

Mrs.,  366. 

Nancy  D.,  246. 

Paul,  151,  192. 

Priscilla,  142. 

Rhoda,  53. 

Samuel,  72,  82, 133,  140,  150,  195, 
205,  291. 

Sarah,  125,  190,  235,  292. 

Sarah  D.,  267. 

Susanna,  132. 

Watson,  213,  228,  265,  279,  282, 
318,  351. 
Gorton,  Abraham,  123. 

John,  57,  62. 

Mary,  57. 
Gould,  Goald  — 

Asenath  (Bacon),  202. 


INDEX 


395 


Gould,  Goald— 

Benjamin  Althorp,  266,  299. 
Hannah,  135. 
Jacob,  204,  298. 
James,  193. 
Jas.  D.,  264,  357. 
Joseph  Dudley,  298. 
Lucretia,  266. 

Lucretia  Dana  (Goddard),  299. 
Lucy,  298. 
Lucy  (Ruggles),  204. 
Otis,  202,  289. 
Ruth  (White),  202. 
Sarah,  264. 

Sarah  Payson  (Seaverns),  298. 
Gover,  Isaac,  209. 
Gragg,  Isaac  P.,    331. 
Moses,  265,  309. 
Eebekah,  265. 

Rebecca  Newell  (Alden),  309. 
Granger,  David  A.,  346. 
Grant,  Charles,  229,  314,  316,  331, 
351. 
Charles  Edward,  331. 
Eliza  Ann  Hales  (Bacon),  331. 
James,  130. 
S.,  364. 

Sarah  (Richards),  314. 
Graves,  Thomas,  129. 
Hannah,  118. 
John,  50. 
Judith,  50. 
Gray,  Alfred  Tupper,  318,  323. 
Anna  G.,  269. 
Catherine    Hays    (Cunningham), 

285. 
Clarissa,  298. 
Dr.,  228. 

Elizabeth  (Chipman),  285. 
Harrison,  298,  300. 
Julia  Ann  C,  318. 
Mary  Woodward,  323. 
Mary  Woodward    (Gray),  323. 
Rev.  Mr.,  172.    See  "  Dr." 
Sarah  Frances  (Loring),  281. 
Wm.,  277,  281,  285. 
Graeton,  Greaton  — 
Catherine  (Lenton),  194. 
John,  162,  167,  194. 


Graeton,  Greaton  — 

Sarah  (Humphreys),  194. 
Nancy,  298. 
R.  H.,  201. 
Sarah,  201. 
Green,  Greene  — 
Abigail,  134. 
Agnes  Love,  304. 
Agnes  Love(Bradlee),  236, 268,272. 
Emily,  268. 

Franklin,  272,  321,  352. 
John,  262. 
Joseph,  126. 
Mrs.,  54. 

Sophia  Charlotte,  324. 
Greenwood,  Abigail,  131. 
Emmeline,  309. 
Francis  W.  P.,  345. 
Louisa  C,  300. 
Mary  (Langdon),  304. 
William  Pitt,  304. 
Greerson,  Ruth,  126. 
Greyhoimd  Tavern,  39. 
Gridley,  Abigail,  119. 
Abigail  (Baker),  119. 
Lydia,  185,  189. 
Martha,  193. 
Mary  (George),  119. 
Samuel,  67,  79,  80,  82,  119,  137, 
140,   145,   146,   148,   149,   151, 
152,  185,  338. 
Sarah,  193. 
Susannah,  193. 

William,  145,  146,  167,  168,  185. 
189,  338. 
Griffin,  Abigail,  120. 
Benjamin,  125. 
Brother,  61. 
Edward  Dorr,  361. 
Joseph,  60,  123,  124,  125. 
Mary,  61. 
Sarah,  125. 
Griggs,  Grigs  — 
Constable,  150. 
EUzabeth,  125. 
Hannah,  123. 
Ichabod,  131. 
John,  60,  122. 
Joseph,  59. 


396 


INDEX 


Griggs,  Grigs  — 

Margaret,  129,  143. 

Mary,  55,  60,  189. 

Samuel,  135,  140. 

Sarah,  125. 

Thomas,  55,  143. 
Grimiell,  Anna  AJmy  (Cobb),  322. 

Charles  Andrews,  215,  321,  322. 
Griswold,  Helen  E.,  318. 
Grovnor,  John,  121. 

Ruth,  121. 
Guild,  Ann  Eliza  (Gore),  290. 

CaroUne  W.,  272. 

Caroline  (Whitmarsh),  290. 

Curtis,  334. 

Elizabeth  Baker  Davis  (Thayer), 
272. 

Frederick,  290. 

Governor,  334. 

Henry,  273. 

James,  213,  268,  272,  290. 

Mary  D.,  364. 

Samuel,  212,  260,  272,  273,  284. 
295,  299,  311,  343,  345,  351. 

Sarah,  268,  273,  364. 

Sarah  A.,  364. 

Sarah  (Mears),  299. 

Sophia  B.,  267. 

Sophia  Buckland  (Child),  290. 
Guilmette,  Charles  A.,  347. 

Harriet  L.,  347. 
Gun,  Ann,  52. 

Jasper,  52. 
Gunter,  Thomas,  155, 
Gurney,  Ruth  Stetson,  295. 

Susan,  295. 

Hadlock,  Sarah,  124,  125. 
(Hackbourne),  Hagboume  — 

Catherine,  53,  55. 

Samuel,  53. 
Haines,  Haynes  — 

Charlotte  A.  (Folger),  301. 

Daniel,  204. 

James  G.,  301. 

John  H.,  287. 

Nathan,  215. 
Halladay,  Charles  Stewart,  303. 

Sarah  (Adams),  303. 


Hale,  Ann  G.  (Ward),  328. 

Edward  Everett,  236,  237,  238. 

Jane  (Lord),  50. 

Philip,  349,  350. 

Robert,  328. 

Thomas,  50. 
Hall,  Edward  H.,  237. 

Elizabeth,  124,  126. 

John,  56,  216. 

Jonathan,  157,  158,  189,  338. 

Joseph,  228. 

Mary,  133. 

Mercy,  189. 

Polly,  206. 

Richard,  76,  123,  128. 

Robert  T.,  350. 
Hallet,  Hallett  — 

Maria,  304. 

Sarah  Elizabeth,  324. 
Halsey,  Aima  Maria,  303. 
Hammond,  Avis,  186. 

Daniel,  261,  279. 

Margery,  47. 

Mary,  307. 

Sally,  261,  279. 

Sally  (Stoddard),  279. 
Hanchet,  Hanshet,  — 

John,  60. 

Thorn.,  125. 
Hancock,  Anna  Catherine,  269. 

Catherine  Downer,  266. 

Enoch,  191. 

WUliam,  266. 
Hannaford,  Betsey  (Knower),  295. 

William,  222,  295. 
Harbottle,  Harbittle  — 

Dorothy,  45,  55. 
Harkness,  Mary,  133. 
Harmon,  Anne  L.,  348. 
Harrington,  Eliza,  365. 

Eliza  Rigart,  322. 

Elizabeth  D.,  264. 

Ephraim,  213,  228,  265,  311,  317, 
319,  320,  352. 

Helen  E.,  319. 

Helen  E.  (Griswold),  318. 

Henry  F.,  264. 

Isabella  D.,  268. 


INDEX 


397 


Harrington,  Jonathan,  345. 

Joseph,  221,  227,  228,  229,  230, 
261,  264,  279,  311,  313,  318, 
319,  320,  321,  322,  323,  324, 
325,  334,  342,  343,  351,  352, 
361. 

Maria,  265. 

Maria  WiUiams  (Simmons),  311. 

Martha  S.,  267. 

Mrs.,  367. 

Rebecca,  261,  264,  325,  364. 

Rebecca  (Smith),  279. 

Sophia,  365. 

Sophia  S.,  320. 
Harris,  Harise  — 

Abigail,  129,  261. 

Elizabeth,  61,  64,  202. 

Elizabeth  (Boughey),  57. 

Eunice  Elizabeth  (Crehore),  280. 

Daniel,  123. 

Horatio,  280,  352. 

Joanna, 126. 

John,  64,  69,  123. 

Lyddia,  130. 

Mary,  64. 

Minnie,  280. 

Priscilla,  121. 

Robert,  57,  61,  67,  69,  121. 

Thaddeus  Mason,  360,  373. 
Hartness,  Sarah,  129,  130. 
Hartshorn,  Caroline,  276. 
Harvey,  Charies  C,  304. 
Harwood,  Joanna,  65. 

Robert,  65. 
Hastings,  Jos.,  344. 
Haswell,  Mary  Cordis,  281. 

Rebecca  Cordiss,  316. 
Hatch,  Jane  Elizabeth,  274. 
Hathaway,  Ehsha,  206. 

Emma,  348. 

Ruth  Ann,  297. 

Sarah,  293. 
Hathorne,  Frank  H.,  348. 
Haven,  Anna,  249. 

Anne  Shapley,  249. 

Rev.  Mr.,  166. 
Haviland,  Catherine,  333. 

Thomas  Philip,  333. 


Hawes,  Haws,  Hawse  — 

Achsah,  300. 

Benjamin,  275. 

Mary  Pilsbury  (Shannon),  275. 

Robert,  61. 

Sally  Clap  (Messenger),  300. 

Sarah,  126. 

John  HoUbrook,    260,    275,  300. 

Joseph  H.,  343. 
Hawkins,  Melatiah,  124. 
Hawly,  Dorothy,  120. 

Elizabeth,  120. 

Joseph,  121. 
Hayden,  Albert  Fearing,  288. 
Haydere,  Olive  E.,  268. 
Hayman,  Lillian  R.,  349. 
Hayward,  Caleb,  160,  162.  191,  196. 

Charles  Latham,  309. 

Emmeline,  290. 

Emmeline  (Greenwood),  309. 

James  Thacher,  214,  291,  301. 

James  Warren,  291,  325. 

Josephine,  334. 

Lizzie,  346. 

Mary,  195. 

Samuel,  198. 

Sarah  Appleton  (Dawes),  301. 

Susan,  310. 
Hazlet,  Hazlett  — 

William,  207,  294,  314. 

Eliza  (Kingsbury),  207. 

Sarah  (Walker),  207. 
Healey,  Healy,  Heley,  Hely  — 

Hannah,  132. 

John,  132. 

Margaret,  135. 

Nathaniel,  197. 

Samuel,  131,  143. 
Heath,  Heathe  — 

Abigail,  64,  122,  198. 

Anna,  134. 

Elizabeth,  42,  116,  117,  122,  143, 
204. 

Elizabeth  (Spooner),  201. 

Hannah,  58,  64,  126. 

Hannah  (Davis-Murdock),  205. 

Hannah  Williams,  303. 

Isaak,  1, 10,  28,  42,  51, 59, 60, 122, 


398 


INDEX 


Heath,  Heathe  — 

Joseph,  68,  78, 80, 81,  82, 134, 140, 
141,  150,  152,  153,  194,  211, 
205,  313. 

Lucy,  299. 

Margaret  D.,  264. 

Martha,  57. 

Mary,  48,  58,  60,  197. 

Mehitabel,  121,  125. 

Nancy  Greaton,  298. 

Naomi  (Vose),  205. 

Patience,  193. 

Peggy  (Davenport),  304. 

Peleg,  59,  133,  167,  193,304,  311. 

Polly  Smith,  262. 

Prudence,  188. 

Sally,  278,  303. 

Samuel,  78,  136,  140,  152,  155, 
167,  193,  197,  298. 

Sarah,  190,  280,  304. 

Sarah  (Lockwood),  189. 

Susanna,  59. 

Wife  of  Isaak,  122. 

William,   48,  58,   124,   146,   147, 
167,   168,   188,   189,   198,   201, 
210, 211, 218, 298, 313, 314, 338, 
341. 
Hedge,  Abby  Burr,  327. 

Mary  Ellen,  329. 
Hemingway,  Henningway,  Hinning- 
way,    Hemenway,     Hemming- 
way,    Henneway  — 

Eliza  (Hewes),  50. 

Joanna,  63,  121. 

John,  63,  121. 

Joshua,  63,  121, 126. 

Margarett,  126. 

Mary,  63,  121, 

Ralph,  50. 

Sarah,  127. 
Hendee,  Adeline  (Davis),  332. 

Charles  Jefferson,  308,  326,  332. 
Henderson,  James,  205. 
Herring,  Mary,  202. 

Wyatt,  202. 
Hewes,  Hues  — 

,  50. 

Abigail,  133. 

Eliza,  50. 


Hewes,  Hues  — 

Hannah,  292. 

Joshua,  10,  49. 

Mary  (Goldston),  49. 

Samuel,  292. 
Hewet,  Hewitt,  Huit  — 

Geo.  W.,  345. 

John,  132,  188. 
Hewins,  Olive  (Esty),  288. 

Whiting,  288. 
Hickling,    Charles,   227,    263,    310, 
321,  351,  352. 

Eliza    Brown    (Edes),    263,   310, 
364. 

Eliza  Edes,  265,  309. 

Mary,  305. 

Sarah,  320,  321. 

Wilham,  320,  321. 
Hersey,  Charles  Henry,  285. 
Hibbens,  William,  16. 
Hicks,  Emma  E.,  269. 

Josephine  M.,  269,  327,  328. 

Sarah  (Mackay)  335. 

WUHam  Rowland,  327,  328,  335. 
Higginson,  Mr.,  108. 
Hildreth,  Mrs.  E.  A.,  345. 
Hill,  Amos  (negro),  128. 

Ann  M.,  264,  268. 

Helen  Sophia,  278. 

Jonathan,  259,  304. 

Julia,  263,  281. 

Margery,  56. 

Rhoda,  247. 

Suky  (Bosson),  304. 

Thomas,  50,  281. 
Hills,  Phillis  (Lyman),  46,  47. 

William,  46,  47. 
Hinckley,  Hinkley  — 

Harry,  271. 

Hohnes,  252,  253. 

Martha  Augusta,  252. 
Hinds,  Elizabeth,  49. 
Hinks,  Elizabeth,  133. 
Hoag,  William,  335. 
Hobart,  Nehemiah,  87. 
Hobbs,  Annie  M.,  270. 
Hodgdon,  David  MiUer,  214,  215. 
274,  325. 

Henrietta  (Young),  325. 


INDEX 


399 


Hodge,  Hodges  — 

Almon  Danforth,  330,  352. 

Frederick  S.,  330. 

Jane  H.  Leonard,  330. 

Martha  (Comstock),  330. 
Hblbrook,  Holdbrook,  Holebrook  — 

Anna  C,  348. 

Charles  Winship,  298. 

Delia  Aim  (Gardner),  298. 

Dorothy,  136,  187. 

Elizabeth,  127,  131. 

John,  63,  82,  136,  139,  199,  256, 
258. 

Mary,  125,  130. 

Polly,  316. 

Ralph,  136,  139,  152. 
Holden,  Priscilla,  246. 
Holdridge,  Elizabeth,  120. 
Holgrave,  Martha,  43. 
Holland,  Elizabeth,  131. 

Joseph,  131. 

Josiah,  131. 

Mary,  126. 

Sarah  May,  292. 
Holley,  Horace,  361. 
HoUingsworth,  Amelia  Grigg  (Mer- 
rill), 277. 

Amor,  277. 

Jane  Merrill,  277. 

Lyman,  304,  328,  352. 

Mark,  277,  353. 

Mary  W.,  268. 

Mary  W.  (Thayer),  304. 
Holmes,  Homes  — 

Ann  F.,  325. 

Bro,  120. 

Ehzabeth,  264,  300 

Ebenezer,  125. 

George,  54. 

Lidea,  120. 

Mary,  300. 

Nathaniel,  63,  123,  125. 

Patience,  63,  123,  129. 

Sarah,  54,  123,  130. 

Thankfull,  130. 
Homans,  Sarah,  249. 


Homer,  Augusta  F.,  269. 

Elizabeth  F.,  269. 

Mary  Ehzabeth  (Fisher),  300. 

Mrs.  Joseph  W.,  349. 

Thomas  Johnston,  300. 
Hood,  Mr.,  338. 
Hooker,  Thomas,  8,  17,  43. 
Hooper,  Adeline  D.,  268. 

Adeline  Denny  (Ripley),  304. 

Caroline  King,  323. 

Elizabeth,  133. 

Ellen,  Priscilla,  284. 

Maria,  304. 

Maria  (Hooper),  304. 

Mrs.  George  K.,  348. 

Polly  (Williams),  302,  308. 

Robert  Chamblet,  282,  284,  304, 
306. 
Hopkins,  Hannah,  60. 

John,  163. 
Horse  Sheds,  The,  357-8. 
Horton,  Sam'l  Henshaw,  259. 
Hosier,  Ursala  (Adams),  46. 
Houghton,  John,  260,  276. 

Nancy,  260. 

Nancy  Williams,  267,  276. 
Houston,  George,  271. 

Susan  E.  (Lee),  326. 

William  R.,  326. 
Hovey,  Abigail,  286. 

Anna  Gardner,  297. 

John,  228. 
Howard,  Caleb,  157. 

Catharine  Hays,  322. 

EHza  D.,  307. 

Elizabeth,  51. 

Hepsie,  Swan,  329. 

John,  74. 

John  A.,  348. 

Joseph,  187. 

Meliittabel,  130. 

Patty,  197. 

Samuel,  310. 

Sarah,  310. 
How,  Howe,  Howes  — 

Abraham,  53,  58,  60,  121, 131. 


400 


INDEX 


How,  Howe,  Howes  — 

Abraham  F.,  266,  294. 

Charlotte,  286. 
Cordeha,  329. 

EHzabeth,  53,  58. 

George,  275. 

Hannah,  193. 

Hannah  Williams  (Heath),  303. 

Henrietta  (Sparhawk),  317. 

Isaak,  125. 

Jacob,  131. 

James,  53,  164,  169,  190,  197. 

John,  303,  317. 

Lydia,  312. 

Mary,  266,  275. 

Mary  P.,  268. 

Mary  (Woodman),  294. 

Mr.,  88. 

Phebe,  51. 

Susanna,  279. 

Thomas,  281. 

Wife  of  Abraham,  53. 
Howell,  Martha,  134. 
Hoyt,  Lewis,  219. 
Hubbard,  Jane  Parkinson,  290. 

Rebeccah,  122. 
Huckins,  James,  287. 

Lucy  E.,  270. 

Lucy  J.  (Crocker),  287. 

Mary  Louisa,  268. 
Hughes,     Rebecca     Hollingsworth, 

315. 
Hull,  George  A.,  317. 
Hiunphrey,  Hmnphreys  — 

CaroUne  Aurelia,  309. 

Edward,  206. 

Mary  Ann,  277. 

Sarah,  194. 
Hunneman,  Eliz.,  263. 

EUzabeth  (Champney),  296. 

Frances,  266. 

Hannah  (Hewes),  292. 

Harriet  (Bradley),  308. 

John  C,  269. 

Josiah  Hewes,  308. 

Mary  C,  266. 

Sally  Williams  (Patten),  292. 

Samuel  Hewes,  228,  229,  263,  296, 
351. 


Hunneman,   William  Cooper,  292, 

343,  358. 
Hunnewell,    Emeline   Aquila    (Sar 
gent),  317. 

Jonathan,  284,  343. 

Joseph  Warren,  317. 

Theoda,  284. 
Hunt,  Elisha,  251. 

Elizabeth,  265. 

EUzabeth  Gardner  (Whitin),  251. 

Hannah,  197. 

Jane  Lee,  318. 

John,  209,  251,  265,  266,  319. 

Lucy  (Calef),  251. 

Mary  Parker,  289. 

Mary  345. 

Myra,  345. 

Nabby,  Willams  (Esty),  251. 

Sarah  Jane,  266. 

Sarah  Jane  (Sjinmes),  251. 

Susan  B.,  265. 

Susan  Wilde,  345. 
Hunter,  Solomon,  199. 
Hunting  Abigail,  (Blaney),  201. 

Asa,  201,  316. 
Huntington,  F.  D.,  252. 

Margret,  49. 

Mary,  178. 
Huntley,  John,  60. 

Wife  of  John,  60. 
Hurlbert,  Nettie  (Gay),  328. 
Hutchins,  Caroline  P.,  270. 

Emma,  270,  356. 

Harriet,  270. 

Horace  G.,  270. 

John  Hurd,  278. 

Julia  H.,  270. 
Hutchinson,  Ann,  9,  15,  23. 

Lt.  Gov.,  194. 
Hyde,  Abigail,  197. 

Enoch,  196. 

Ephraim,  197. 

George  Baxter,  266,  321. 

Mary  S.,  278. 

Mary  Whitten  (Clap),  321. 
Hyland,  Lucy,,  198. 
Hynm  Books,  15,  23. 
Hyslop,  Elizabeth,  194. 


INDEX 


401 


Inches,  Caroline  Maxia,  303. 

Charles,  326. 

Harriet  Auchmuty  Howard  (Boit), 
326. 
Indian  Language,  27,  36. 
Indians,  12,  24-33. 
Ingalls,  M.  L.,  347,  348. 
Ingram,  John,  127. 
Ireland,  James,  197. 

Jackson,  Antipas,  311. 

Hannah,  223. 

Hannah  (Richards),  311. 

Jemima,  201. 

Mary  (Doggett),  311. 

Patty,  200. 

Rev.  Mr.,  166. 

Samuel,  311. 
Jacobs,  Anna,  186. 
Jamaica  End,  74,  357. 
James,  Charles,  205. 

Joseph,  204,  311. 

Mary  (Robinson),  204. 
Jarvis,  Jervis  — 

Capt.,  159. 

James,  140. 

Mrs.,  159. 

W.  C,  225. 
Jeffries,  John,  246. 
Jermer,  Thomas,  51. 
Jermings,  Mary,  196. 

Stephen,  196. 
Jewell,  Mary,  313. 
John  Eliot  Club,  The,  359,  372. 
Johnson,  Johnston  — 

Anne,  195. 

Brill,  193. 

Captain,  4,  5. 

Ehsha,  129. 

Eliza,  55. 

EUza  (Porter),  50. 

Ehzabeth,  192. 

Grace  (Farver),  45. 

Harriet  D.,  267. 

Isaak,  50. 

John,  10,  45,  126. 

John  B.,  216. 

Margery,  45. 


Johnson,  Johnston  — 

Mary,  63,  127. 

Nathaniel,  63. 

Rebecca,  127. 

Thomas  E.,  349. 
Jones,  Ann,  56. 

Daniel,  W.,  331. 

Elizabeth,  130. 

Emma  A.,  (Cleaves)  331. 

Ezekiel,  163. 

Frances,  282. 

Hannah,  325. 

James,  310. 

John,  245. 

Lewis,  56. 

Mary,  313. 

Mary  Anne,  268. 

Mr.,  257. 

Nabby  (Baker),  205. 

Polly  (Morton),  296. 

Sarah  Heath,  245. 

Sarah  (Heath)  Spooner,  245. 

Solomon,  205, 298. 

S.  C,  345. 

Susan  J.  M.,  345. 

Thomas,  130. 

Thomas  Kilby,  227,  296,  344,  358. 

Titus,  131. 

William,  158. 

William  Safford,  271. 
Jordan,  Anne  Bond  (Mirick),  276. 

Jesse,  276. 

Mary,  57. 
Joy,  Charles,  203,  289. 

Dorcas  (Babb),  203. 

Jesse,  207,  259. 

Mary  Parker  (Hunt),  289. 

William,  289. 
Judy,  A.  M.,  356. 

Keebe,  Goodwife,  69. 
Kelton,  Edward,  187. 

Sarah,  197. 
Kendall,  Frederick  E— ,  350. 

Samuel,  169. 
Kent,  Abigail,  245. 

Benjamin,  209,  247,  250,  252, 
264,  301,  302. 


402 


INDEX 


Kent,  Clarissa,  195. 

Eleanor,  262. 

Eleanor  (Bradford),  247. 

Eloisa,  267. 

Isabel,  267. 

Rhoda  (HiU),  247. 

Samuel,  247. 

Sarah,  266. 
Keyes,  Simeon,  259. 
Kelbourne,  Kilbome  — 

Eliza,  53. 

George,  53. 
Kileski,  Etta,  349. 
Kimball,  Mary  Jane,  294. 
King,  Edward,  187. 

Mary  Louisa,  268. 

Mrs.,  306. 

Samuel  M.,  348,  349. 
Kingsbury,   Aaron,   229,   291,   293, 
304,  358. 

Eliza,  207. 

Freelove  (Fenner),  292. 

Henrietta,  292. 

Joseph,  125. 

Mary  (Lethbridge),  304. 

Mercy,  127. 

S.,  176. 

Theodore,  260. 

William  B.,  231,  292,  358. 
Kingsley,  Mary  Bellowes,  282. 
Klous,  Seaman,  294. 
Knapp,  Mary,  248. 
Knight,  Lois  Eaton,  260. 

Samuel,  125. 

Sarah,  125. 
Knower,  Betsey,  295. 
Kube,  Edward,  69. 

Ladies'  Religious  Charitable  Society, 

359,  363  -  367. 
Lamb,  Lambe  — 

Abiel,  120,  123. 

Caleb,  63,  124. 

Decline,  alias  Smith,  63. 

Dorothy  (Harbottle),  45,  55. 

Elizabeth,  45,  120. 

Hulder,  131. 


Lamb,  Lambe  — 

Joshua,  68,  72,  80,  81,  115,  120, 
124,128,  132,139,  141,152,  170. 

Mary,  63,  120,  123,  124. 

Mr.,  71. 

Susanna,  132,  256,  258. 

Thomas,  10,  45,  55. 
Lambert,  Harriet,  306. 

Mrs.  (King),  306. 

Susan,  306. 

Susannah,  306,  315. 

Susannah    (Cunningham),    306. 

Wm.,  306,  315,  343,  360. 
Landers,  William,  204. 
Lane,  Ehza  Anne,  294. 
Langdon,  Caroline,  309. 

Catherine  Smith,  285. 

Mary,  196,  304. 
Langley,  Alona,  315. 

Emily  (Pierpont),  276. 

Esther  (Mayo),  195. 

Samuel,  162,  169,  170,  195,  260, 
276,  278,  311,  315,  323,  343. 

Wm.,  261,  278,  291,  315,  344. 
Lathbridge,  Sarah,  133. 
Lathgood,  Sarah,  131. 
Laud,  Archbishop,  15. 
Lawn,  Susan,  320. 
Lawrence,  Catharine,  323. 

Ehzabeth,  120. 

Seth,  205. 

Wilham,  238. 
Leach,  Daniel,  252. 

Mary  Ann,  287. 
Learned,  Daniel,  198. 

Grant,  205. 
Leason,  Lezon  — 

Anne,  131. 

Isaac,  131. 

Thankfull,  128. 

Wilham,  128. 
Leavens,  Elizabeth,  47. 

John,  10,  47,  54,  124. 

Rachel  (Weight),  47,  54. 
Leavitt,  E.  W.,  356. 

Ellen  Wilhista,  270,  356. 

Frank  M.,  271. 


INDEX 


403 


Leavitt,  Hannah  Caroline,  270,  356. 
Lee,  Robert,  142. 

Susan  E.,  326. 
Leeds,  Hannah,  204. 

Mary,  200. 
Lehman,  Henry,  264. 
Leland,  C,  364. 

Elizabeth,  356,  365. 

Julia,  264,  365. 

Sarah  Elizabeth  (Hallett),  324. 

Sherman,  288,  344. 

William  Sherman,  324,  329. 
Lemist,  Edwin,  252,  283. 

Frances,  364. 

Frances  Ann,  268. 

Prances  C,  264. 

John,  210,  212,  213,  228,  229,  262, 
281,  286,  288,  298,  302,  304, 
309,  316,  342,  343,  351,  352. 

Mary  Cordis  (Haswell),  281. 

Mrs.,  365,  366. 

Sarah  W.  D.,  270. 

Sarah  Whitney  Davis  (Dorr),  283. 
Lemon,  Eleazer  Giles,  321,  351. 
Lenton,  Catherine,  194. 
Leonard,  Jane  H.,  330. 
Lethbridge,  Leathbridg — 

Mary,  304. 

Richard,  158,  162. 
Lewis,  Amy  (Weld),  56. 

Ann,  263. 

Ann  P.,  364. 

Caroline  Crosley,  334. 

Catherine,  311 

Elijah,  212,  259,  260,  285,  292, 
294,  307,  315,  343. 

EUzabeth,  268. 

Elizabeth  Smnner  (Daggett),  294. 

Fanny,  260. 

Fanny  (Sumner),  294. 

George,  214,  294,  321. 

Hannah,  260. 

Hannah  (Seaver),  200. 

Hannah  Brackett,279. 

Hannah  Brackett  (Lewis),  279. 

Harriet  Lucrecia,  27. 

James,  200,  260,  311,  321. 

John,  314. 

PoUy,  291. 


Lewis,  Polly  (Pillsbury),  314. 

Samuel  Shaw,  279. 

Sarah,  279. 

Sarah  B.,  268,  310,  323. 

Susan  Minns  (Wheelwright),  321. 

Thomas,  279,  291. 

William,  56. 
Lilley,  Mary,  288. 

Thomas,  343. 
Lincoln,  Abraham,  233,  234,  242. 

Benjamin,  322. 

Catherine  Cushing,  298. 

Freedman's  Aid  Society,  359,  369. 

Sarah  E.,  335. 
Lincoln,  Governor,  242. 
Lindsey,  Jeane,  186. 
Lisle,  Henry  Maurice,  361 . 
List,  Harriet  (Winlsow),  304. 
Lithgow,  Mr.,  228. 
Little,  EUzabeth  (Malbon),  279. 

Mary,  300. 

Samuel,  279,  372. 
Livermore,  Grace,  270. 
Locke,  Ahneria  Rosaline  (Boynton), 
294. 

Eliza  Ann  (Lane),  294. 

Frances  (Brewster),  294. 

Lyman,  294. 
Lockwood,  Emma,  356. 

Maria  D.,  322,  325,  356. 

Samuel,  322,  325. 

Sarah,  189. 

Thomas  S.,  322. 
Loco,  Hannah,  204,  297. 
Lorde,  Jane,  53. 

Thomas,  294. 
Loring,  Anna,  264. 

Anna  (Thorndike),  275. 

Francis  Caleb,  277,  352. 

James  G.,  345. 

Joshua,  150. 

Miriam  Mason  (Perkins),  277. 

Miriam  P.,  269. 

Sarah  Frances,  281. 

William  I.,  264,  358. 

WiUiam  Joseph,  275. 
Lothrop  Elizabeth  Moore,  273. 
Loud,  Debby,  203. 

Stephen,  260. 


404 


INDEX 


Lovel,  John,  132. 

Lovering,  Loverain,  Loveren. 

Allice,  130. 

Alice  (Crafts),  128. 

Anne  (Phillips),  274. 

Esther  (Martin),  274. 

Jane  E.,  270. 

Jane  Elizabeth  (Hatch),  274. 

Joseph,  274. 

Mary  L.,  265. 

Mary  Lane  (Clap),  274. 

Mary  Langdon  (Borland-Wales), 
274. 

Nathaniel  Phillips,  265,  274,  334. 

Robert,  128,  135,  l99. 

Wife  of  Robert,  199. 
Lovett,  Joshua,  308. 
Low,  John  H.,  346,  347. 

Sarah  Gilchrist,  300. 
Lowder,  Susannah,  204. 
Lowell,  Anna  Cabot,  266,  282,  283, 
356,  364. 

Charles,  180,  184,  206,  229,  292, 
361. 

Elizabeth  Cabot  (Putnam),  308. 

Harriet  Brackett  (Spence),  206. 

John, 203, 206,  227,  229,  272,  283, 
307, 316, 343, 351, 358, 360, 362. 

John  Amory,  308,  329,  344. 

Misses,  366. 

Rebecca,  203. 

Rebecca  Amory,  266,  283. 

Rebecca  (Amory),  307. 

Rebecca  R.,  365. 

Susan  Cabot,  308. 
Luke,  Sarah,  255. 
Lyman,  Phillis,  46,  47. 

Richard,  46. 

Sarah,  46. 
Lion,  Lyon,  Lyons  — 

Abigail,  64,  120. 

John,  64,  125. 

Joanna,  129. 

Joseph,  121,  122. 

Mary,  122,  124. 

Rachel,  202. 

Samuel,  65,  123,  129. 

Thomas,  64,  122. 


Lion,  Lyon,  Lyons  — 
Wife  of  William,  58. 
Wilham  58,  62,  120,  121. 
William  H.,  237. 

Macarty,   Maccarty,   Mcarty,  Mc- 
Carty,   McCarthy  — 

Elizabeth,  282. 

Martha  (Nolen),  205. 

Susannah,  263,  298. 

Thomas,  168. 

*  William,  205,  212,  298,  314. 
McCleary,  Maria  Louisa,  302. 
McClure,  Ann,  188. 
MacDonald,  McDonald  — 

Archie,  350. 

Marie  Stone,  348. 

William  F.,  347. 
MacGregor,  Edith,  350. 
Macthaden,  Rebecca,  133. 
McKenzie,  Alexander,  238,  239. 
McLellan,  Anna  Fields,  275. 
Mack,  William,  278. 
Mackay,  Lottie  M.,  350. 

Sarah,  335. 
Magee,  James,  281. 

Margaret,  281. 
Magoon,  Nathnl,  344. 
Malbon,  Elizabeth,  279. 
Mandell,  Marie  Louise,  269. 
Manser,  Lydia,  136. 

Mary,  186. 

Sarah,  136. 

Susaima,  136. 
Mansfield,  Elizabeth,  41, 

Nancy  (Crosby),  200. 

Stephen,  200,  279. 
Marcy,  John,  124. 

Sarah  (Hadlock),  124. 
Mareen,  Elizabeth,  125. 

Mary,  125. 

Philip,  125. 

William,  125. 
Marsh,  Stephen  W.,  303.     ' 

Warren,  260. 
Marshall,  Benjamin,  204,  295. 

Jacob,  324,  351. 

Mary  (Gay),  324. 


INDEX 


405 


Marston,  Stephen  W.,  289. 
Martin,  Esther,  274. 
Mascraft,  Elizabeth,  126. 

Hannah,  126. 

Mary,  62,  124,  126. 
Mason,  Elizabeth,  291. 

Margaret  (Dennison),  65. 

Sarah,  186. 
Mather,  Cotton,  6, 18, 34, 35, 38,  92, 
112,  114,  115,  336. 

Hannah,  132. 

Increase,  109. 

Katherine,  126. 

Richard,  15,  23,  336. 

Mrs.,  69. 

Sarah,  109,  112. 
Matthews,  Jolin,  56. 

Wife  of  John,  56. 
Maverick,  Samuel,  9. 
May,  Mays,  Mayse  — 

Abigail,  120,  133. 

Benjamin,  153,  192,  338, 

Caroline,  269. 

Caroline  S.  (Danforth),  254. 

Dorothy,  135. 

Ebenezer,  131,  140,  188,  338. 

Edward,  287. 

Eleazer,  123,  135. 

John,  56,  60,  61,  67,  118,  123,  126. 

John  Joseph,  209,  236,  254,  255, 
276,  287,  352. 

Lemuel,  158,  195. 

Mary,  192. 

Mary  (Goddard),  254. 

Mehittabel,  122,  126,  133. 

Naomi,  122,  126. 

Prudence,  126. 

Prudence  (Bridge),  118. 

Samuel,  60,  142,  151,  254. 

Sarah,  56,  60,  120. 

Sarah  (Brewer-Bruce),  118. 

Sophia  Augusta,  300. 
May  Fair,  358,  366. 
Maybin,  Caroline,  364. 
Mayhew,  Jonathan,  217. 

Martha,  202. 

Nancy,  266. 


Mayhew,  Nancy  (Allen),  285. 

Nathaniel,  266,  285. 

Simeon,  202. 
Maynard,  Vinnie  H.,  348. 
Mayo,  Maioh  — 

Capt.,  80. 

Elisha,  199. 

Elizabeth,  48,  131. 

Esther,  195. 

Hannah,  61,  121. 

Hannah  (Graves),  118. 

John,  48,  60,  61,  67,  75,  78,  118, 
121,  125. 

Joseph,  131. 

Maria,  309. 

Mary,  133. 

Mary  (Gore),  202. 

Mehitabel,  124,  125, 

Polly,  202. 

Prudence,  292. 

Rebecca,  123. 

Sarah,  125,  134,  257,  258. 

Sarah  (Burden),  118. 

Susannah, 192,  292. 

Thomas,  48,  199,  202,  275,  310. 

Wife  of  Thomas,  199. 
Maxfield,  John,  148. 

Samuel,  312. 

Mary  (Bradlee),  312. 
Mead,  Meede  — 

Helen  M.,  348. 

Isaac,  252. 

Richard,  61. 
Means,  John  O.,  233. 
Mears,  Meers  — 

Abigail,  175,  194. 

Amos  Adams,  260, 

Ann,  192. 

Catherine,  198. 

Hannah,  131. 

James,   133,   140,   160,  162,   167, 
190,  199,  206,  338. 

John,  190. 

Katherine,  132. 

Mary,  206. 

Mehittabel,  132. 

Sarah,  299. 


406 


INDEX 


Mecuen,  John,  261 

Wife  of  John,  261. 
Medcalf,  Martha,  58. 
Meeting  House,  Bell,  12,  71,  72,  75, 
155,  156,  170,  222. 

Clock,  160, 168,  219,  220,  232,  233- 

Contribution  to  second,  69. 

Corner  stone  plate,  218,  219. 

Dedication,  219. 

Destroyed  by  fire,  142. 

During  Revolution,  163. 

Easter  decoration,  first,  235. 

Memorial  Tablets,  218,  229,  238, 
239. 

New  one  proposed,  14,  79,  149, 
171. 

One  hundreth  anniversary,  238. 

Pews,  73,  80,  81,  161,  186,  219. 

Porch,  74,  235. 

Position  of  Third,  80. 

Pulpit,  232,  238. 

Raising  entertainment,  69,  83. 

Repairs,  additions,  &c.,  10,  12,  13, 
154,  156,  160,  164,  169,  227, 
230-2,  234,  235,  238. 

Scollers  not  to  keep  school  in,  70. 

Seating  capacity,  13,  71,  73,  160, 
218, 
MeUish,  Elizabeth,  206. 
Merrett,  Franklin  Smith,  331,  353. 
Meriam,  Merriam  — 

Abigail,  344. 

Abijah,  260,  264,  287,  299,  315, 
327,  328,  351. 

Benj.,  343. 

Catherine,  299,  328. 

Catherine  (Coburn),  299. 

Denman,  69. 

Hannah,  264. 

Jonas,  188. 

Mrs.  A.,  264. 
Merice,  Ebenezer,  123. 
Merrill,  Mr.,  349. 
Merry,  Sarah  A.  W.,  268. 
Merryfield,  Hannah,  126. 
Messenger,  Sally  Clap,  300. 

WilHam  S.,  332. 
Messer,  Julia,  269. 


Messer,  Sarah  Nichols,  269. 
Meston,  Julia,  346,  347. 

Julia  Annie,  269. 
Metcalf,  Robert  Comfort,  209,   372. 
Mighill,  Ellen,  54. 

Thomas,  54. 
Miles,  H.  Idel,  348. 

Sarah  Elizabeth,  329. 

Solomon  Pearson,  329. 
Miller,  Gertrude,  350. 

John,  1,  42,  51. 

Lidia,  42,  51. 

Sophia,  313. 
Mills,  Edward,  69. 

Ephraim,  202. 

Lemuel,  351. 

Martha,  193. 

Stephen,  148. 
Milton,  150. 

Minns,  Elizabeth  F.,  268. 
Mirick,  Anne  Bond,  276. 
Monk,  Dorothy,  130. 

Elias,  130. 

Hopestill,  136. 
Montgomery,  John,  200. 

Wife  of  John,  200. 
Moody,  John,  49. 

Sarah,  49. 
More,  Moore  — 

Henry,  311. 

John,  61,  62. 

Martin,  30. 

Nancy,  303. 

Wife  of  John,  62. 
Morgan,  James,  56. 

Margery  (Hill),  56. 
Morris,  Morice,  Morrice  — 

Ebenezer,  126. 

Edward,  60,  126. 

Elizabeth,  122,  125. 

Grace,  60,  122. 

Hannah,  125. 

Isaac,  127. 

Margret,  124. 
Morrell,  Morrill  — 

Amelia  Grigg,  277. 

Anne,  246. 

George,  299. 

Helen  (Brooks),  331. 


INDEX 


407 


Morrell,  Morrill  — 

Isaak,  10,  48. 

Joseph,  331. 

Katharine,  281. 

Sarah,  48. 

Sarah  Emmons   (Rogers),  299. 
Morse,  Abigail  B.  (Davenport),  313. 

Amos,  313,  321. 

Elizabeth  (Hohnes),  300. 

Ezra,  262,  294,  343. 

Hartford,  300,  313. 

Henry  Alphonso,  323. 

Irene,  313. 

Irene  (Morse),  313. 

Jemima,  175. 

Joan  D.  (Follansby),  323. 

Lewis,  261,  313. 

Lucy  (Gay),  313. 

Luther,  300. 

Mary,  261,  288. 

Mary  Ann,  272. 

Mary  (Hohnes),  300. 

Mary  (Jewell),  313. 

Olive  (Richards),  313. 

Rebecca,  262,  295. 

Rebecca  (Thomas),  294. 
Morton,  Marcus,  225. 

Polly,  296. 

Sarah  Foster,  301. 
Morey,  Morie,  Mory  — 

Mary,  120. 

Susannah,  120,  124,  272. 

Thomas,  120,  124. 
Moses,  Rebecca,  276. 
Mosher,  Isabel,  187. 

Jeremiah,  187. 
Motley,  Emma,  297. 

Judith  Eleanor,  269. 

Maria  Bussey  (Davis),  297. 

Minna,  269. 

Thomas,  269,  297. 
Mott,  Adam,  52. 

Sarah,  52. 
Muddy  River,  see  Brookline. 
Mumford,  Mountfort  — 

Hanna  (Anna),  18,  19. 
Muncrieff,  Joseph,  193, 201. 

Sarah,  189. 
Mimke,  Ann,  58. 


Monroe,  Muru-oe  — 

Avis   (Hammond)  186. 

Daniel,  167. 

Edmund,  343. 

Nehemiah,  145,  147,  148,  162, 
165,  167,  169,  186,  209,  211, 
245,  246,  259,  296,  316,  343. 

Sarah  (Mason),  186. 

William,  186. 
Murdock,  Hannah  (Davis),  205. 
Murreene,  Mary,  125. 

Rebecca,  125. 
Music,  336  to  353. 
Myrick,  Benjamin,  288. 

Sarah  (Coding),  288. 

Nash,  Caroline  M.  (Fox),  318. 

David  R.,  318. 

Ehzabeth  (Porter),  64. 

Frank  O.,  349. 
Nason,  Elias,  336. 

EHzah  Ann,  261. 

Jabez,  261. 
Nazing,  3. 
Negro,  Amos  Hill,  128. 

Bristol,  142. 

Dan,  130. 

Dinah,  188. 

Fortune,  188. 

Guinea,  142,  143. 

Ishmael,  192. 

James  Trusty,  129. 

Jeifrey,  142. 

Keturah,  189. 

Phillis,  142,  187,  192. 

Simon  Gossan,  128. 

Tobias,  191. 

Venus,  192. 
Nelson,  Mr.,  85. 
Nevins,  David,  280. 

Eliza  S.  (Coffin),  280. 
Newel,  Newell,  Nuell  — 

Abigail,  124,  195. 

Abraham,  50,  57,  59,  60. 

Capt.,  188. 

Ebenezer,  80,  81,  127,  139,  141, 
142,  146,  147,  152,  338. 

Elizabeth,  61,  122,  126. 

Experience,  126. 

Faith,  123,  127. 


408 


INDEX 


Newel,  Newell,  Nuell— 

Frances,  50. 

Grace,  57. 

Hannah,  124. 

Jacob,  61,  62,  121. 

James  Webster,  305. 

John,  120,  126. 

Joseph  R.,  263. 

Isaac,  61,  121. 

Martha,  61,  133. 

Mary,  123,  195,  262. 

Mr.,  228. 

Narah,  122. 

Nathaniel,  133. 

Rebecca,  123. 

Samuel,  259. 

Sarah,  126. 

Susanna,  60. 

Wm.,  236. 
Newman,  Andrew,  259,  310. 

Aima  B.,  265. 

Deborah,  265. 

Margaret,  265. 

Mary,  265. 

Susan  D.,  265. 

Susan  (Hayward),  310. 
Newton,  Antipas,  261. 
Nichols,  Charles,  282,  285. 

Harriet  (Powers),  282. 

Mary  P.,  268,  285. 

Sarah  E.,  268. 
Nickerson,  Joseph,  275. 

Louisa  (Winslow),  275. 
Noble,  John,  209,  300. 

Mary  Folsom,  318. 
Nolen,  Elizab.,  200. 

Geo.,  202. 

Martha,  205. 

Thomas,  148,  168. 
Norcross,  Hannah,  131. 
Norrice,  Edward,  52. 

Mary,  52. 
Norton,  Lilian,  348. 
Norwood,  George,  265. 
Nye,  Sophia,  290. 

Oakes,  Mr.,  85. 
Ockington,  David,  170. 


Odding,  Sarah,  49,  50. 
OfiStt,  Isabel,  48. 

Thomas,  48. 
Oliver,  Abigail  K.,  302. 
Olney,  G.  L.,  349. 
Onion,  Elizabeth,  120. 

Grace,  126. 

Hannah,  120. 

Robert,  120. 

Sarah,  120. 
Orr,  James,  158,  189,  198. 
Osgood,  Elizabeth  LaviTence  (Bur- 
ling), 306. 

John   Felt,   214,   239,   280,   306, 
352. 

Mr.,  228. 
Otis,  Harriet  (Blanchard),  332. 

Harriet  L.,  270. 

Theodore,  213,  214,  307,  332, 352. 
Owen,  Dr.,  88. 

Packer,  Catherine  French  (Bowen), 
327. 

George,  285,  309,  327. 
Page,  Holman,  358. 

Rebecca  Putnam,  334. 
Paine,  Pain,  Payne  — 

Alice,  288. 

Elizabeth,  133. 

Mary,  313. 
Paddy,  Margaret,  46. 
Paddleford,  John,  201. 
Palfrey,  J.  G.,  184. 

Professor,  366. 

Remember,  61. 
Pahner,  Geo.  B.,  269. 

Louisa,  308. 

Maria  D.,  269. 

Rebeckah  (Short),  47. 

Timothy,  217. 

Walter,  47. 
Parish,  Parrich  — 

Carolyn  H.,  349,  350. 

John,  59. 

Magdalen  (Bullard),  59. 
Parke,  Parkes  — 

Ann,  51. 

Brother,  57. 


INDEX 


409 


Parke,  Parkes  — 
Deacon,  10,  57,  60. 
Edmund,  63. 
Elizabeth,  62. 
John,  62. 
Martha,  49,  60. 
Martha  (Holgrave),  43. 
Mary,  63,  64. 
Theoda,  117.  • 

WilHam,  43,  46,  49,  67,  117,  118. 
Parker,  Abigail,  142,  189,  193,  196. 
Ann,  49. 

Anna  (Sargent),  280. 
Augustus,  214,  297,  333,  335. 
Bethia,  135,  277. 
Betsey  Wendell  (Townsend),  330. 
Catherine,  194,  273. 
Ebenezer  Francis,  283,  304. 
Edmund,  63,  68,  70,  71. 
Eleanor,  196,  271. 
Elizabeth,  62. 

EUzabeth  Clap  (Stone),  283. 
Elizabeth  Leman,  291. 
EUzabeth  (Phillips),  280. 
Emily,  303. 
Hannah,  127,  202. 
Isaac,  330. 
Jakob,  123. 

Jeremiah,  143,  162,  188. 
John,  62,  69,  163,  264,  280,  314, 

343,  358. 
Jonathan,  162,  168,  191,  351. 
Judith  (Smith),  311. 
Margaret,  121. 
Martha,  188. 

Mary,  63,  131,  133,  143,  192. 
Mary  Elizabeth  (Baker),  335. 
Mr.,  367. 
Nicholas,  49,  63. 
Noah,  196. 
Reuben,  311. 
Sarah,  196,  270,  290. 
Sarah  (Seaver),  290. 
Thomas,  290. 
Timothy,  131,  132. 
William,  202. 
William  Prentiss,  297,  372. 
Parkman,  Elizabeth  Willard,  279. 
Francis,  361. 


Parkman,  Mr.,  228. 

Susan,  299. 
Parsons,  Hannah  Maria,  317. 

Thomas  W.,  317. 
Parter,  Jabez,  163. 
Partridge,  Catherine,  285. 

Jane,  191. 

Thadeus,  160,  162,  167,  190. 
Pastor,    letter   of   acceptance,    154, 
165,  226. 

Office  defined,  6. 

Ordination  of,  4,  5,  72,  76,  153, 

155,  167,  228,  236,  237. 
Provision  for,  7,  11,  39,  79,  152, 

156,  230. 

Report  to  parish,  236,  237. 
Patch,  Sylvia,  263. 
Patchin,  Goodwife,  58. 
Patrick,  Elizabeth,  262. 

William,  191. 
Patten,  Jonathan,  162,  200. 

Mary  Siunmer,  263. 

Mrs.,  366. 

Nancy  (Scott),  295. 

Nathaniel,  168,  295. 

Polly  H.,  264,  364,  368. 

Sally,  262,  263. 

Sarah,  295. 

Sarah  (Williams),  206,  292. 

William,  206,  229,  232,  262,  285, 
296,  343. 
Patterson,  Hannah  B.,  320. 
Pattie,  Pattee,  Patty  — 

Adam,  162,  197. 

Lois,  186. 

Louis,  197. 
Payson,  Pason,  Paison  — 

Abby,  267. 

Abigail,  191. 

Ann,  121. 

Ann  (Parke),  51. 

Bathsheba,  64. 

Bathsheba  (Tileston),  118,  119. 

Benjamin,  130. 

Deacon,  10,  65. 

Ebenezer,  135. 

Edward,  51,  58,  118,  121,  122. 

Elizabeth,  129,  133. 

Elizabeth  (Child),  119. 


410 


INDEX 


Pason,  Paison,  Payson  — 

Elizabeth  (Dowell),  44,  53. 

Ephraim,  121. 

Giles,  44,  51,  53,  67,  118. 

Hannah,  118. 

Henry,  191. 

Jacob,  131, 

John,  64,  67,  78,  79,  82,  118,  119, 
129. 

Joseph,  191,  197. 

Lydia,  263. 

Mary,  58,  121,  130. 

Mary  (Ehot),  118. 

Rebecca,  307. 

Rev.  Mr.,  166. 

Samuel,  121,  125,  263,  275. 

Sarah,  65,  132,  135,  142,  185. 

Waitstill,  133. 

Wife  of  Samuel,  125. 
Peabody,  A.  P.,  237, 

Hannah  (Baxter),  174. 

Oliver,  109,   145,   151,   152,   153, 
174,  187. 
Peak,  Peake  — 

Christopher,  51,  126. 

Dorcas  (French),  51. 

Jonathan,  61. 

Sarah,  61. 

Sister,  59. 
Peacock,  Peakok  — 

Jane,  54. 

Richard,  54. 

Sarah,  125. 
Pearson,  Mr.,  12. 
Pemberton,  Mr.,  101. 
People's  Bank,  21. 
Pepper,  Anna,  131. 

Elizabeth  (Johnson),  55,  56. 

Jacob,  76,  125. 

Joseph,  120. 

Mary,  51,  120. 

Philhs,  53. 

Richard,  51. 

Robert,  55,  56. 

Sarah,  120. 

Wife  of  Jacob,  125. 
Percy,  Earl,  189. 
Pearey,  Ellen,  335. 
Perkins,  Abigail,  296. 


Perkins,  Caroline  Elizabeth,  304. 

Catherine  H.,  301. 

EUz  (Woolton),  49. 

Elizabeth  R.,  265. 

Emeline,  267. 

Helen  Louisa,  264. 

James,  249. 

Miriam  Mason,  277. 

Samuel,  266,  296. 

Thomas  H.,  249. 

William,  49. 
Perrin,  Augustus,  265,  284,  319. 

David  Cliild,  266,  284. 

Ellen  P.,  268. 

Ellen  Priscilla  (Hooper),  284- 

Harriet,  265. 

Harriet  (Child),  319. 

Margaret  (Healey),  135. 

Martha,  143. 

Mary,  134. 

Noah,   128,  135,  140,  146,   147, 
155,  168,  338. 

Patience,  128. 

Patience  (Walker),  135. 

Susan,  142. 
Perry,  Cordelia  E.,  324. 

Mary  Ann  (DeWolf),  283. 

John,  47. 

Samuel,  120. 
Peters,  Hugh,  16. 
Pettes,  Henry,  296. 

Mary  (Barrett),  296. 
Pew  Owners,  139  to  140,  271  to  335. 
Phelps,  Mary,  262. 
Phillips,  Anne,  274. 

Caleb,  125. 

EUza  (Cunningham),  302. 

EUzabeth,  122,  125,  280. 

James,  302. 

Matilda,  347. 

Rebecca  Capen  (Simmons),  299. 

Samuel  Maverick,  299. 

Wm.,  29. 
Phipps,  EUzabeth,  364. 

Elizabeth  V.,  269. 

Ehzabeth  Vinton  (Stamford),  279. 

Maria  Dennis  (Staniford),  278. 

Mary  A.  K.,  266. 

Mrs.  Wm.,  367 


INDEX 


411 


Phipps,  Samuel,  266,  278. 
Sarah,  127. 
WiUiam,  227,  229,  269,  274,  279, 

351. 
William  K.,  345. 
Pierpont,     Pierpovnt,      Pairpoynt, 
Pierrepoint,    Peirpont,    Peire- 
pont,  Peirpoynt, 
Anna,  197. 
Anne,  133,  188,  305. 
Benjamin,  123,  190. 
Ebenezer,  67,  68,  74,  80,  81,  82, 
131,   137,   140,   141,   146,   151, 
152,  153,  187,  190,  338. 
Elizabeth,  132. 
Emily,  276. 
Experience,  64,  121. 
Hannah,  136,  193,  195,  245. 
James,  122,  142,  151. 
Joseph,  123. 

John,  58,  59,  67,  116,  122,  123, 
159,  160,   168,    193,  255,  338, 
361. 
Jonathan,  125. 
Margret,  125. 
Maria,  62. 
Mary,  188,  197. 
Mr.,  141. 
Robert,  62,   136,   164,   167,  204, 

305. 
Sarah,  130,  133,  204. 
ThankfuU,  58. 
Thankful  (Stow),  116. 
William,  190,  338. 
Pickering,  Frances  D.,  264. 
Francis  Dana  (Goddard),  289. 
Frances  G.,  269. 
Henry  G.,  270. 
Henry  White,  264,  289,  352. 
Rebecca  W.,  268. 
Susan  H.,  270,  356. 
Pickett,  Charles  E.,  347. 
Pico,  Abigail,  295. 
Peirce,  Pierce — 
Ann  Howes,  246. 
Eben  Swift,  260. 
Elizabeth,  288. 
Hannah  Clapp,  274, 
John  N.,  345. 


Peirce,  Pierce  — 
Lemuel,  203,  304. 
Rev.  Dr.,  229. 
Sarah,  304. 
Pidge,  Pigg,  Pigge.— 
Jakob,  122. 
Mary,  49. 
Thomas,  49. 
Pike,  Anna,  197. 
Ehzabeth,  122. 
Jarvis,  128. 
Susanna,  124,  126. 
Pillsbury,  Polly,  314. 
Pinchon,  Francis  (Sanford),  45. 

William,  45. 
Pitcher,  Sister,  63. 

Sister,  dau.  of,  63. 
Plimpton,  Phmpston,  Plympston  — 
Jeremiah,  209,  254,  265,  297. 
Mrs.  Theodore,  270. 
Ohve  (Smith),  254. 
Sarah  D.,  265. 

Sarah  Davenport   (Bradlee),  254. 
Theodore  Melville,  270,  300,  332, 

353. 
Ziba,  254. 
Plymouth,  3. 
Poignard,  Poignant  — 
David,  293. 
Delicia,  293. 
Pollock,  Laura  M.,  356. 
Polly,  John,  59,  62. 
Mary,  62. 
Patience,  126. 
Rebecca,  123. 
Susanna,  59. 
Pomeroy,  Pomroy  — 
Aaron,  206,  273,  314. 
Abigail  (Burrell),  206. 
Hemy,  260. 
Roswell,  259. 
Pond,  Hannah,  261. 

John,  261. 
Porter,  Ann,  64. 

Carolme,    241,    261,    271,    363, 

364,  365,  367. 
Charlotte,  296. 
Deborah,  64. 
Edward,  53,  64. 


412 


INDEX 


Porter,  Eliphalet,  145,  164,  165, 
166,  167,  168,  174,  178,  193, 
209,  217,  218,  219,  220,  228, 
229,  238,  240,  243,  248,  256, 
257,  258,  271,  341,  344,  354, 
360,  366. 

Elizabeth,  50,  53,  64. 

Hannah,  120. 

Huntington,  248,  271. 

John,  49,  50,  178. 

Margaret,  49. 

Martha,  193,  258. 

Martha  (Ruggles),  179,  248,  263, 
364. 

Mary,  253. 

Mary  (Huntington),  178. 

Miss,  366. 

Rev.  Mr.,  166. 

William,  64. 
Potter,  Isabel,  51. 

Robert,  51. 
Powers,  Harriet,  282. 
Pratt,  Abraham,  48. 

Caroline,  292. 

Ebenezer,  303,  327. 

Johanna,  48. 

Levi,  203. 

Martha,  333. 

Mary,  259,  263. 

Mary  Baker,  260. 

Mary  (Wyman),  293. 

Nancy  (Moore),  303. 

Phebe  Phillips,  333. 

Sarah,  203. 

Suneon,  167,  203,  291,  314. 

William,    259,     293,     300,    315 
344. 
Prentice,  Prentise,  Prentiss  — 

Abigail,  259. 

Abigail  (Pico),  295. 

Adeline,  326. 

Alice,  46,  47. 

Caroline,  265. 

Ehzabeth,  175. 

Francis,  122. 

John,  62,  133. 

Mary,  267. 

Nathaniel    Shepherd,    210,    212, 
223,  259,  295,  312,  360. 


Prentice,  Prentise,  Prentiss  — 

Sarah,  189. 

Thomas  M.,  267. 

Valentine,  46,  47,  62. 
Prescott,  Edward,  347. 

Samuel  Jackson,  259. 
Preston,  Deacon,  72. 

Edward,  151. 

Mary,  305. 

Mary  (Davis),  287. 

Remember,  287. 

Sarah  (Clark),  287. 
Prichard,  Elinor,  57. 

Hugh,  57. 
Pritchard,  Mr.,  57. 
Prince,  Daniel  McCarty,  317. 

Nancy  (Thayer),  317. 

Sarah,  188. 

Thomas,  110. 
Putnam,  Abby,  356. 

Abby  H.,  267. 

Allen,  265. 

Andrew,  240. 

Anna  E.,  268. 

Caroline,  267. 

Elizabeth  Anne  (Ware),  241,  263. 
364,  365,  367. 

Elizabeth  Cabot,  308. 

George,  174,  183,  209,  226,  227, 
228,  229,  230,  231,  233,  234, 
235,  236,  238,  240-244,  246, 
247,  249,  252,  263,  281,  362, 
363. 

Henry  Ware,  215,  270,  280,  282. 

Jerusha  (Clap),  240. 
Putnam  Chapel,  236,  362,  370. 

Quincy,  Samuel,  200. 

Ramsel,  Bethia,  136. 
Ramsey,  Martha,  125. 
Rand,  Isaac,  262,  343. 

Isaac  Pollard,  332, 

Lucy,  266. 
Randall,  Jonas,  260. 

Mary,  260. 
Rawlings,  Rawhns  — 

Jasper,  49. 

Jeane,  49. 


INDEX 


413 


Rawlings,  Rawlins  — 

Mary,  45. 

Thomas,  45. 
Raymour,  Mary,  190. 

Thomas,  190. 
Rea,  Archelaus,  265,  291. 

Elizabeth  (Mason),  291. 

Maria  Marsh  (Wooodbridge),  291. 

M.,  265. 
Read,  Reade,  Reed  — 

Alfred  Augustus,  283. 

Caroline  (van  Son)  283. 

Edwin,  293. 

George,  334. 

Goodwife,  58. 

Harriet  (White),  296. 

John,  165,  172,  296,  309,  361. 

Mary  Elizabeth,  302. 

Thomas,  201. 
Reeves,  Reives  — 

Abigail,  143,  187. 

Hannah  (Rowe),  55. 

Jacob,  143., 

Thomas,  55. 
Remington,  Rementon  — 

James,  69. 

John, 12. 
Rendle,  Rebecca,  136. 
Revere,  J.  W.,  222. 

Paul,  170. 
Reynolds,  Ann  F.,  269. 

Charlotte,  364. 

Charlotte  P.,  267. 

Charlotte  S.,  269. 

Edward  Belcher,  209,  211,  236, 
259,  267,  287,  302,  321,  325, 
326,  335. 

Fanny  Mackay,  319. 

Harriet  E.  (Wheelwright),  333. 

Martha  (Pratt),  333. 

Matilda,  255. 

M.  Louisa,  270. 

William  James,  214,  286,  333. 
Rice,  Adelaide  (Walker),  303. 

Alex.  H.,  291. 

Bethia,  133. 

Edward  D.,  306. 

Edward  Everett  306. 

Elizabeth  H.  (Bartlett),  306. 


Rice,  George  Woods,  303. 

Priscilla  D.  (Woodbridge),  306. 
Richards,  Cordelia,  364. 

Eliza,  329. 

Hannah,  311. 

Joel,  329. 

John,  187. 

Jonathan  Avery,   209,   212,   246, 
263,  312,  325,  344. 

Mary,  365. 

Mrs.,  263. 

Nancy  D.  (Gore),  246. 

OHve,  313. 

Sarah,  296,  314. 
Richardson,  Abigail,  202. 

Abby  Pond,  202. 

Caleb,  135. 

Clara,  279. 

Jesse  Putnam,  319. 

John,  82,  139,  146,  151,  152. 

Joseph,  197. 

Luther,  171,  259,  304,  360. 

MaryDwight  (Coverly),  296. 

Nathaniel,  296,  313. 

Susan  (Cabot),  319. 

Susannah  (Craft),  304. 
Ripley,  Adeline  Denny,  304. 

Ezra,  361. 
Riggs,  Edward,  50. 

Eliza,  50. 
Riley,  Caroline  Amelia  (Humphrey), 
309. 

James,  305,  315,  343. 
Ritchie,  Richey  — 

Caroline  (Whitaker),  294. 

Clara  E.,  270. 

Francis,  133. 

Harriet  W.,  270. 

James,  214,  294,  326. 

Mary,  133. 

Mary  Jane  (Kimball),  294. 
Robbins,  Abba  (Dowse),  302. 

Edw.  Jewett  259,  287. 

Elizabeth,  287. 

Mary  Hobnes  (Curtis),  287. 

Peter  Gilman,  210,  229,  231, 
267,  302,  308,  342,  343,  351, 
352. 


414 


INDEX 


Bobbins,  Polly    (Williams-Hooper), 
308,  233,  302,  308,  366. 

Sarah,  202,  266. 

Sarah  Elizabeth,  330. 

S.  G.,  228. 

William,  204. 
Roberts,  Elizabeth,  53. 

Eimice,  57. 

Hugh,  59. 

John,  10,  53. 

Thomas,  57. 
Robertson,  Andrew,  343. 

Hannah,  263,  333. 

Harriet,  263,  333. 

Richard,  135. 
Robeson,  Anna  (Rodman),  332. 

William  Rodman,  332. 
Robinson,  Robbinson  — 

Abigail,  142. 

Catherine  L.,  265. 

Catherine  (Lewis),  311. 

Cecelia  cob.,  267. 

Channing,  238. 

Elizabeth  Leman  (Parker),  291. 

Henry,  cob.,  267. 

Jonathan   Pratt,    213,    265,   286 
311,  322,  323,  333. 

Mary,  204. 

Mary  A.  G.  (Goddard),  311. 

Nathan  Dyer,  288,  291. 

Nathan  S.,  238. 

Polly  (Holbrook),  316. 

Richard,  191. 

Sarah  R.,  269. 

Silenc,  55. 

Susanna,  246. 

Thomas,  55,  343. 

Thomas  Trott,  316. 

Ursula  (Adams,  Hosier,  Streeter), 
46. 
Rodman,  Anna,  332. 

Elizabeth,  300. 

Emma,  268. 

Emma  (Motley),  297. 

Samuel  William,  297. 
Rogers,  Bessie  Bromfield,  269. 

I  ]len  Derby,  267,  288. 


Rogers,  Ezekiel,  42. 

Frances  Stetson,  269,  355. 

Gorham,  286. 

Helen  Sophia,  275. 

Jeremiah,  129. 

John,  72,  214,  265,  288,  352. 

Laura,  269. 

Sarah  Ellen,  266. 

Sarah  Ellen  (Derby),  288. 

Sarah  Emmons,  299. 

Shubael,  Gorham,  214,  277. 

Susan  Gross  (Snow),  269, 277, 364. 

Susan  Snow,  269,  277. 
Rose,  Miss,  345. 
Ross,  Carohne  E.,  (Archer),  321. 

Mary  Swift  (Waldo),  321. 

Matthias  Denman,  321. 
Roe,  Rowe  — 

Hannah,  55,  57. 
Rowen,  Richard,  193. 
Roxbm-y    Charitable    Society,    359, 
360  to  362. 

Female  Benevolent  Society,  359, 
362. 

Latin  School,  9. 

Young  Men's  Union,  359,    369, 
370. 
Rudhall,  Abel,  158. 
Ruggles,  Rugles,  Ruggs  — 

Abigail  (Crafts),  59. 

Abigail  (Williams),  119. 

Ann  (Bright),  60. 

Barbara,  51. 

Capt.,  80,  130. 

Dorcas,  46. 

Edward,  67,  68,  78,  79,  119,  137. 
140,  143,  145,  149,  151,  152. 
153, 155,  185. 

Elizabeth,  134,  142,  196. 

Eunice,  132. 

Hannah,  61,  78,  123, 126,  129. 

Hannah  (Crafts),  119. 

Hannah  (Fowle),  60. 

Huldah,  128. 

Joanna,  133,  142. 

Joanna  (Williams),'  197. 

John,  47,  51,  59,  60,  68,  73,  81. 
119,  120,  123,  134,  139,  141. 


INDEX 


415 


Ruggles,  Rugles,  Ruggs  — 

Joseph,  68,  80,  81,  82,  130,  137, 

139,   141,   146,   147,   148,   167, 

168, 171, 187, 192, 197, 199, 202, 

210,  211-305,  315,  362. 
Julia  Fellowes,  280. 
Katharine,  187. 
Lucy,  128,  204. 
Margery  (Hammond),  47. 
Martha,  120,  129,  179,  180,  199, 

261,  276,  315,  343. 
Martha  (Devotion),  119. 
Martha  Fairfield,  282. 
Martha  (Williams),  193. 
Martha  (Woodbridge),  193. 
Mary,  60. 
Mary  (Curtis),  54. 
Nathaniel,  145,  147,  148,  162, 171, 

180,   193,   197,   199,   210,   211, 

271,282,315,360,362. 
Patience,  129. 
Patty,  205. 
Rebecca,  123,  193. 
Rebecca  (Curtis),  197,  199. 
Rebecca  Hollingsworth  (Hughes), 

315. 
Samuel,  60,  61,  71,  72,  74,  75,  120, 

123,  193. 
Sarah,  130,  197,  279,  364. 
Sarah  (Fellowes),  199. 
Sergt.,  69. 

Thomas,  50,  54,  124,  126. 
Timothy,  129. 

Ruling  Elder  office  defined,  6,  7, 
Rumrill  Aaron,  206,  313. 

Abigail  (Richardson),  202. 

Ann,  206. 

Elizabeth  Clap,  345. 

Sally  (Dudley-Fellowes),  202. 

Sarah  Elizabeth,  330. 

Thomas,  202,  296. 

WilUam  S.,  238. 
Russell,  James,  283,  303,  305. 

Lydia  Cushing,  301. 

Lydia  (Cushing),  325. 

Mary  Ellen  (Hedge),  329. 

William  Goodwin,  280,  329. 
Ryan.  Addie,  347. 


Saben,  Sabin  — 

Benjamin,  122. 

Sarah,  64, 121. 

Susanna,  126. 
Salem,  3. 

Sahnon,  John,  136,  186. 
Sampson,  Ehzabeth  (Winsor),  326. 

Erastus,  326. 

Mary  (Morse),  288. 

Stephen,  288,  289. 
Sanger,  Sangor  — 

Nathaniel,  123. 

Mary,  124. 

Wife  of  Nathaniel,  123. 
Sargent,  Anna,  280. 

Christina  Kadie  Swan,  335. 

EmeUne  Aquila,  317. 

James  O.,  319. 

Mary  Sarah,  285. 
Sanders,  Saimders, 

Capt.,  74. 

Elizabeth,  127. 
Sanitary  Commission,  359,  369. 
Saunderson,  Sanderson  — 

Betsy,  263. 

Daniel,  211,  261,  299,  310,  31,4, 
315,  317,  344. 

Sarah,  261. 

Sarah  (Cunningham),  299. 
Savage,  Anna  Lewis  (Thacher),  328. 

Charles  Tyler,  328. 
Sawin,  Abigail,  312. 

John,  171,  312,  324. 
Sawyer,  Anna  Greenleaf,  330. 
Scarborough,  Scarbro,  Scarbrow. 

Bethia,  118,  127,  136. 

Deborah,  121. 

John,  57,  118. 

Mary,  57. 

Mary  (Smith),  118. 

Rebecca,  120. 

Samuel,  67, 118, 120, 121, 122. 
Schenck,  Robert  B.,  298. 
Scoffield,  Minnehaha,  349. 
Scot,  Scott  — 

Ebenezer,  199. 

Hannah,  129. 

John,  121. 

Nancy,  295. 

Nathaniel,  196,  293. 


416 


INDEX 


Scot,  Scott  — 

Sarah,  134,  196. 

Susan  Curtis   (Brener),  293. 

Thomas  W.,  262,  293,  344. 
Scutts,  Elizabeth,  131. 
Searle,  Searl  — 

Ambrose,  136. 

Deborah,  136,  191. 

Elizabeth,  136. 

Hannah,  122. 

John, 123, 134, 189. 

Margret,  123, 134, 189. 

Mary,  123,  134. 

Philip,  73, 122, 123, 191. 

Ruth,  191. 
Sears,  Alice  M.,  356. 

Anna  Powell  Grant,  332. 

Harriet  Lavinia,  274. 

J.  Henry,  284,  292,  333. 

Mrs.  Peter,  365. 
Seaver,  Saever,  Sever  — 

Abigail,  128,  261,  344. 

Abigail  (Wliituey),  205. 

Abiel,  187. 

Abijah,  162,  192. 

Adeline,  267. 

Ann  T.,  287. 

Benjamin,  203,  298. 

Betsey,  267. 

Betsy  (Dudley),  205. 

Caleb,  65,  125,  128. 

Charles  Milton,  215,  275. 

Daniel,  151, 187. 

Debby,  262. 

Debby  (Loud),  203. 

Ebenezer,  131,  140,  200,  210,  221, 
290. 

EUzabeth,  62,  134. 

EUzabeth  (Ballard),  49,  51. 

Elizabeth  (Clap),  200. 

Hannah,  64,  128,  131,  135,  200. 

Hannah  (Loco),  204,  297. 

Helen  Sophia  (Rogers-Ball),  275. 

John,  124,  205,  215,  287. 

Jonathan,  139,  187. 

Joseph, 205, 282. 

Joshua,  120,  121,  130,  287. 

Lucy  (Heath),  299. 


Seaver,  Saever,  Sever  — 

Margaret,  131,  133,  195. 

Martha,  261. 

Mary,  121,  133, 135, 188, 189, 191. 

Mary  Elizabeth,  328. 

Nancy  (Sumner),  287. 

Nathaniel,  65,  204,  297. 

Nicholas,  191. 

Peter,  135. 

Robert,  49,  51. 

Sarah,  65,  133,  199,  290. 

Shubal,    64,    65,    81,    128,    135, 
139,  141. 

Susannah,  188. 

Thomas,  134,  189. 

William,  204,  215,  261,  299. 
Seaverns,  Ann  T.   (Seaver),  287. 

Charlotte,  261,  291. 

Charlotte  (WiUiams),  291. 

Deborah  (Crosby),  204. 

Joel,  204,  287,  291. 

Olive  Draper  (Gay),  204. 

Samuel,  260,  291. 

Sarah  Payson,  298. 
Severy,  Edward,  261. 

Wife  of,  261. 
Sewall,  Harriet  (Winslow),  List,  304. 

Louisa  M.  (W^mslow),  304. 

Margaret,  188. 

Rebecca,  128. 

Samuel,  72,  127,  128,  129,  336. 

Samuel  Edmund,  304. 
Sewing  Circles,  359. 
Sexton,  Clara,  350. 
Sextons,  1,  12,  13,  68,  70,  71,  148, 

151,  164,  168,  215,  221. 
Shannon,  Mary  Pilsbury,  275. 
Sharp,  Sharpe  — 

James,  235. 

John,  62,  69,  73. 

Martha,  62,  122. 

Rebecca,  195. 

Robert,  128. 

Sarah,  128,  188. 
Shaw,  Elizabeth  Willard  (Parkman), 
279. 

Isaac,  205,  313. 

Joseph  P.,  304. 


INDEX 


417 


Shaw,     Nancy    Brown     (Bosson), 
205. 

Polly  Taylor  (Truckman),  205. 

Robert  Gould,  279. 

Sarah  H.,  264. 

Sarah  (Heath),  304. 
Sheafe.Mris.,  54. 
Shed,  Ehzabeth,  131,  203. 

Grace,  200. 

Hannah,  201. 

James,  81,  82,  129,  136,  140,  141. 

Martha,  196. 

Mary,  78,  136,  195,  203. 

Mr.,  80. 

Nabby,  275. 

Nathan,  170,  196. 

Ohver,  200,  275. 

Zacharias,  201. 
Sherbiu-ne,  Edward  P.,  329. 
Shattuck,  Martha,  261. 

Mary,  261. 

Sarah,  347. 
Sheffield,  Echnund,  57. 

Mary  (Woody),  57. 
Shelly,  Ann,  47. 
Shepard,  Shepheard,  Shepherd  — 

Betsy,  261. 

Charles,  261. 

H.  L.,  345. 

Sophia,  356. 

Thomas,  15,  23,  28,  38,  336. 
Sherman,  PhiUp,  49,  50. 

Sarah  (Odding),  49. 
Shippen,  Eugene  R.,  373. 
Shirley,  Mehitable,  192. 
Short,  Rebeckah,  47. 
Shortlief,  Henry,  187. 

Mary,  187. 
Sigourney,  Daniel  Andrew,  213,  227, 
229,   263,  265,   278,  282,  283, 
284,  316,  326,  332,  351. 

Harriet,  278,  364. 

Harriet  (Davis),  284. 
Silsbee,  Silsbey  — 

Isaac,  260. 

Nathaniel,  225. 

Sam'l,  260. 
Simeson,  John,  126. 


Simonson,  John,  124. 
Simmons,  Belinda  P.,  267. 

Belinda  (Wells),  317. 

David  Allen,  210,  212,  227,  231, 
232,  263,  267,  272,  276,  282, 
310,  320,  344,  351,  358. 

George,  227,  313. 

George  Arthur,  287,  317,  318,  319, 
320,  334. 

Leonora  Chamberlain,  349. 

Louisa,  267. 

Marcy  (Wales),  313. 

Maria  Williams,  311. 

Martha,  268. 

Martha  Fairfield  (Ruggles),  282, 
364. 

Martha  R.,  263. 

Mrs.  Da\id,  366. 

Nancy  D.,  263. 

Nancy  Stimpson,  306, 

Rebecca  Capen,  299. 

Sarah  H.,  264. 

Sarah  Homans  (Thwing),  276. 

Sarah  M.,  268. 

Susan  Fosdick,  272. 

Thomas,     210,     213,    227,    229, 
230,   265,   274,   276,  310,  317, 
318,  335,  351. 
Simpson,  Sarah  Ann,  294. 
Skillings,  Catherine,  266. 
Skinner,  Jacob,  207. 
Slack,  Ehzabeth,  191. 

George  A.,  330. 

John,  162,  188,  191. 

Levi  W.,  345. 

Lewis,  324. 

Mary  Reed   (Flower),  324. 

Pedy  (Dudley),  324. 
Slater  Wilham,  216. 
Sleeper,  Charles  Frederick,  318. 

John  Sherbm-ne,  318. 

Mary  Folsom  (Noble),  318. 
Sloan,  Susan,  260. 
Slocum,  Sarah  Elizabeth  (Williams), 
275. 

Wilham  Henry,  275. 

Smith ,  57. 

Abigail,  262. 


418 


INDEX 


Smith.  Abigail  (Williams),  286. 

Amasa,  261. 

Amos,  285,  310,  344. 

Ami  Elizabeth,  268. 

Azariah,  372. 

Catherine  Smith  (Langdon),  285. 

Charles,  347,  348. 

Decline  (Lamb),  63. 

Dorcas  C,  265. 

Ebenezer,  163,  286. 

Eliza,  301. 

Elizabeth  Metcalf,  331. 

Eve,  267. 

Francis,  10,  46. 

Hannah,  125. 

Henshaw,  347. 

Jeremiah  P.,  260. 

Joane  (Atkins),  57. 

John,  163. 

Joseph,  162,  167,  193,  329. 

Judith,  311. 

Lucy,  56. 

Mary,  118,  187,  194,  260. 

Mary  Ann  Louisa,  305. 

Mary  (Whittemore),  279. 

Martha  (Ruggles),  261. 

N.  Proctor,  265. 

N.  Ruggles,  220. 

Nancy,  207,  286. 

Nathan,  351. 

Olive,  254. 

Polly,  245. 

Ralph,  147,  162,   167,   168,   169. 
171,  245,  277,  279,  311. 

Rebecca,  133,  279. 

Sally,  245. 

Sarah  (Ruggles),  279. 

Susanna.  260,  264.  277. 

Susannah  (Howe),  279. 
Snow,  Mrs.,  367. 

Nathaniel,  229,  267,  286,  343. 

Salome,  286. 

Salome  H.,  267,  365. 

Sophia,  364. 

Sophia  J.,  264. 

Susan  Gross,  277. 
Sparhawk,  Henrietta,  317. 

Nathaniel,  168. 
Spaulding,  Jenny  Tileston,  268. 


Spaulding,  Jane,  W.  T.,  268. 
Spear,  Speare  — 

EUzabeth,  61. 

Susannah  R.,  267. 

WilUam  H.,  227,  351. 
Spence,  Harriet  Brackett,  206. 

Aaron  Warner,  275. 
Spencer,  Josephine  (Vila),  275. 
Spisor,  Christian,  54. 
Spooner,  Caroline  (Hartshorn),  276. 

Elizabeth,  201. 

Harriet  (Curtis),  276. 

John  J.,  167. 

Rebecca  (Moses),  276. 

Sarah  Heath,  245. 

WiUiam  Heath,  276,  289,  343. 
Sprague,  Frank  M.,  331. 

Susan  Rogers,  282. 
Spring,  Agnes  Giles,  349. 
Stackpole,  Joseph  Lewis,  334. 

Susan  Margaret  (Benjamin),  334. 
Stainer,  Roger,  128. 

Susanna,  128. 
Stalham,  Elizabeth,  53,  117. 
Staniford,  Daniel,  289. 

Elizabeth  Vinton,  279. 

Frances     Ann     Minus     (Wheel- 
wright), 289. 

Lucy,  269,  364. 

Lydia  Shepard,  274. 

Maria  Dennis,  278. 
Stanton,  Robert,  130. 
Stanwood,  Henry  Porter,  307. 
Starkweather,  Jonet,  57. 

Maud,  349. 

Robert,  57. 
Stebbin,  Stebbins  — 

Ann  (Munke),  58. 

Jane,  54,  56. 

John,  58. 

Martin,  54,  56. 
Steams,  Charles,  274. 

Hannah  Clap  (Pierce),  274. 

Sarah  E.,  269. 

Simeon,  260. 
Stedman,  Caleb,  115,  128,  140,  170. 

Mr.,  187. 
Stetson,    Cushing,    213,    214,    231, 
268,  296,  318. 


INDEX 


419 


Stetson,  Frances  (Burrows-Bowles), 
296,  318. 

Jesse,  206, 315. 

Mary  Francis,  269. 

Sally  (Dickerman),  206. 

William  Frank,  276. 
Stevens,  Stephens  — 

Abigail,  128,  135. 

Amos,  295,  297,  333. 

Benjamin,  163,  197. 

Elizabeth,  190. 

Fannie  L.,  270. 

Hannah,  128, 190. 

Henry,  69. 

Joanna,  128,  133. 

John,  124,  128,  261. 

Joseph,  131. 

Mary,  128,  131,  132,  134. 

Mrs.  (Cleaves),  70. 

Samuel,  81,   115,  129,   139,  141, 
152, 155, 338. 

Sarah, 62, 123, 136. 

Susan,  295. 

Susanna,  133,  185. 

Timothy,  62,  74,  121,123,126,135. 

Widdow,  68,  121. 
Stevenson,  Mary  E.,  303. 
Stewart,  Adam,  301. 
Stickney,  John  Henry,  348. 

Wilham,  319. 
Stiles,  Dr.,  113. 
Stoddard,  Capt.,  172,  173. 

Huldah,  261,  279. 

Reuben,  279. 

Sally,  279. 

Sarah,  297. 
Stone,  Abigail,  271. 

Baman,  211,  284,  295. 

Deacon,  150. 

Elizabeth  Clap,  283. 

Lucy  (Bradlee),  325. 

Mary  (Walker),  284. 

Mr.,  87,  108. 
Stonhard,  John,  58. 

Wife  of  John,  58. 
Storj',  Abigail,  128. 
Stow,  Elizabeth,  50. 

John,  50. 


Stow,  Thankful,  116. 
Stowell,  Edmund  Hersey,  320. 

Susan  (Lawn),  320. 
Stillman,  Samuel,  286. 

Sarah  Collins  (Baldwin),  286. 
Stratford,  K.  B.,  344. 
Stratton,  Henry  O.,  286. 

Joseph,  206. 
Streeter,  Alice  Parker,  322. 

Ursula  (Adams-Hosier),  46. 
Sturgis,  James,  265,  291. 

Mary  Catherine  (Townsend),  291. 

Nathaniel  Russell,  299,  300. 

Susan  (Parkman),  299. 
Sturtevant,   Adeline   D.    (Bradley), 
332. 

John  Dean,  332. 
Sumner,  Abigail,  143,  261. 

Abigal  Mather,  307. 

Abby,  364. 

Abby  M.,  364. 

Benj.,  151. 

Deacon,  273. 

Deborah  W.,  261. 

Edward,  130,  139,  160,  260,  307. 

Eliza  D.,  266. 

EUzabeth,  130,  192,  201,  281,  294. 

Elizabeth  (Bugbee),  185. 

Elizabeth  (Hyslop),  194. 

Fanny,  294. 

Henry  Payson,  260. 

Increase,  135,  147,  152,  165,  167, 
168,  184,  188,  194,  281,  304, 
362. 

Joanna,  307. 

Joanna  (Sumner),  307. 

John,  67,  68,  80,  81,  82,  132,  185. 

Lucy,  195,  304. 

Maria,  260. 

Martha,  260. 

Mary,  135,  194. 

Mary  Ann   (DeWolf -Perry),  283. 

Nancy,  261,  273,  287. 

Nathaniel,  142. 

Rebecca  (Payson),  307. 

Samuel,  142,  145,  160,  167,  185, 
190,  209,  245,  294,  304,  344. 

Sarah,  142. 


420 


INDEX 


Sumner,  Sarah  (Sharp),  188. 

Susannah,  190. 

Susanna  (Boylston),  185. 

Susanna  (Stevens),  185. 

William  Hyslop,  283. 
Sunday  School,  70,  354  to  356, 
Swaine,  Mary,  53. 
Swan,  Margaret,  188. 

Mary,  63,  123. 

Prudence,  126. 

Thomas,  63. 
Sweet,  Amelia  T.,  267. 
Swift,  Da\ad,  200. 

John,  169,  198,  202. 

Samuel,  260. 

Wife  of  David,  200, 

Wife  of  John,  202. 
Symonds,  Caroline  E.,  348. 
SjTnmes,  Sarah  Jane,  251. 

Taber,  Catherine,  290. 

Catherine  (Partridge),  285. 

Elnathan,  229,  285,  351. 

Sarah,  356. 

Sarah  W.,  266. 
Table,  Abigail,  132,  135. 
Tahnage,  Elizabeth,  47. 

William,  47. 
Tappan,  Sarah,  277,  289. 
Taylor,  Elizabeth  R.,  274. 

Mr.,  344. 

Newton,  274. 

Richard,  88. 

Zackary,  230. 
Teacher,  oiBce  defined,  6. 
Tetlow,  John,  290,  372. 
Thacher,  Anna  Lewis,  328. 

Caroline  B.,  278. 

EUzabeth  Ames  (Bates),  278. 

EHzabeth  Bates,  271. 

Marietta  B.  H.  (Crooker),  302. 

Thomas,  278,  302. 

Wmiam  Gill,  278. 
Thayer,  Arthur  W.,  349. 

Charles  Lowell,  309. 

Ebenezer,  78,  79. 

Elizabeth  Baker  Davis,  272. 

Harriet  Louisa,  309. 

John  B.,  346. 

Mary  W.,  304. 


Thayer,  Meriba,  198. 

Nancy,  317. 
Thomas,  Arthur  Malcolm,  285. 

Edward,  199. 

General,  174. 

Helen,  277. 

Hugh,  59. 

Mary  Sarah  (Sargent),  285. 

Mary  S.,  269. 

Rebecca,  294. 
Thompson,  A.  C,  182,  234. 

Jane,  202. 

Mary,  132,  192. 

Rachel,  335. 

Samuel,  335. 

Wilham,  191. 
Thomdike,  Anna,  275. 

Elizabeth,  283. 
Thorpe,  Ahce,  64. 
Thurston,  Joseph,  260. 
Thwing,  Anna  (Haven),  249. 

Anne  Shapley  (Haven),  249,  266. 

Annie  Haven,  270,  298,  356. 

Elsey,  263. 

Elsey  Fellows  (Davis),  249. 

Florence  H.,  270. 

Samuel,  249,  274. 

Sarah,  263,  274,  364. 

Sarah  Homans,  276. 

Sarah  (Homans),  249, 

Supply  Clap,  209,  213,  228,  229, 
230,  249  to  257,  259,  263,  266, 
274,  288.  293,  298,  351. 

Walter  Ehot,  270,  298. 
Tidd,  Lucy,  320. 

Tilden,    Frances    Bums    (Fulton), 
320. 

Hannah  B.  Patterson,  320. 

Thomas,  320. 
Tileston,  Anne,  276. 

Bathsheba,  118,  119. 

Nathaniel,  201. 

Sarah,  132. 

William,  259. 
Tingley,  Frank  F.,  347. 
Tinkham,  Samuel  Everett,  215,  330, 

331. 
Tohnan,  Elizabeth  Metcalf  (Smith). 
331. 


INDEX 


421 


Tolman,  James,  170,  331. 
Tombes,  Daniel,  192. 
Torie,  Torrey,  Tory  — 

Jonathan,  122. 

Mary  (Scarborough),  57. 

Philip,  57. 
Totman,  Tatman  — 

Deborah,  63. 

Jabesh,  63,  121. 

John,  48,  130. 

Wife  of  John,  48. 
Towers,  Zipporah,  133. 
Town  meetings,  9,  13,  14,  163,  219, 

220. 
Townsend,  Betsey  Wendell,  330. 

Catherine  (Parker),  267,  273, 
274. 

Isaac  Parker,  273,  274,  281. 

Mary  Catherine,  291. 

Miss,  364. 

Sophia  T.,  264. 
Train,  Ahnira  C.  (Cheever),  329. 

Enoch,  283,  329. 

Frances  G.,  265. 

Frances  Gore  (Glover),  320. 

Samuel  Francis,  320. 
Trenn,  Abbie  J.,  319. 
Truckman,  Polly  Taylor,  205. 
Trufant,  Clementina,  328. 
Trull,  Jona,  202. 
Trumbell,  John,  55. 
Trusty,  James,  129. 
Tucker,  Tukker  — 

Ann,  120,  123,  187. 

Benjamin,  120,  122. 

Ebenezer,  133. 

Elijah,  253. 

EUzabeth,  127,  133,  185. 

Hannah,  194. 

James,  134. 

Joseph  Warren,  209,  210,  226, 
253,  270,  296,  297,  301,  345, 
352. 

Margarett,  131. 

Mary,  130. 

Mary  (Porter),  253. 

Rebecca,  266. 

Rebecca  (Weatherly),  253. 


Tucker,  Tukker  — 

Seth,  260. 
Turner,  Edward,  148,  198,  215,  221, 
312. 

Hannah,  131. 

Hezekiah,  131. 

John,  58. 

Lucy  (Hyland),  198. 

Mary,  57. 
Tuttle,  Elizabeth,  333. 

Helen,  364. 
Tyler,  Hannah  Giddings,  318. 

Job,  61. 

Mary,  61. 
Tyng,  Rebecca,  63,  126. 
Tythingman,  5. 

Universalists,  222. 
Upham,  Thomas  A.,  346. 

Van  Kuran,  Laura,  350. 
Van  Son,  Caroline,  283. 
Vassaile,  Anna,  52. 

William,  52. 
Viau,  Joseph,  350. 
Vila,  Anna  Fields  (McLellan)  275. 

Elizabeth  D.  (Dexter),  274. 

James,  274. 

Joseph,  274,  275,  351. 

Josephine,  275. 

Lydia  Shepard  (Staniford),  274. 
Vose,  Elijah,  331,  343. 

Lydia  May,  325. 

Naomi,  205. 

Rebecca  Gorham  (Bartlett),  331. 

Waban,  28. 

Wade,  Prudence,  125. 

Wadleigh,  Jennie  B.,  348. 

W.  H.,  348. 
Waddington,  James  A.,  353. 
Wainwright,  Aime,  133. 

Lucretia,  325. 

Lucy,  127. 

Mr.,  351. 
Wait,  Waite  — 

Benjamin,  316-330. 

Clarissa,  316. 


422 


INDEX 


Wait,  Waite  — 

David,  165,  167. 

Jacob,  280. 

Lydia,  26S,  280. 

Mary  (Felton),  284. 

Misses,  343. 

Rebecca,  201,  280. 

Samuel,  280,  284,  312,  343. 
Wakeman,  Elizabeth,  46. 

Samuel,  46. 
Waldo,  Mary  Swift,  321. 
Wales,  Ebenezer,  162,  195. 

Marcy,  313. 

Mary  A.,  270. 

Mary  Langdon  (Borland),  274. 
Walker,  Adelaide,  303. 

Clarissa,  288. 

Edward  C.  R.,  268,  292. 

Elizabeth,  188. 

Harriet,  268. 

Hem-ietta  (Kingsbury),  292. 

Isaac,  155. 

Job,  188. 

John,  49. 

Mary,  284. 

Matthew,  262. 

Patience,  135. 

Samuel,  252. 

Sarah,  207. 

Wife  of  John,  49. 

Wife  of  Matthew,  262. 
Walley,  John,  68,  149. 
Wallis,  Ann,  55. 
W^alter,  Hannah,  131. 

Maria,  136. 

Nathaniel,  134. 

Nehemiah,  35,  67,  72,  73,  78,  79, 
84  to  111,  112,  119, 137,  141, 
145,  149,  151,  152,  174. 

Madam,  153. 

Rebecca,  77. 

Rebeckah  (Belcher),  112. 

Sarah,  131. 

Sarah  (Mather),  109,  112. 

Thomas,  67,  76,  77,  84,  104,  108 
112  to  115,  131,  336. 
Walworth,  John,  73. 
Ward,  Ann  G.,  328. 


Ward,  Elizabeth,  260. 

Elizabeth  (Ruggles-Brewer),  196. 

Harriet,  365. 

Harriott  T.,  269. 

Joanna,  278. 

John,   167,   196,   260,    261,   262, 
274. 

Joseph,  343. 

Lucy,  264,  364. 

Lucy  (Tidd),  320. 

M.,  351. 

Mary,  262. 

Martha  (Shed),  196. 

Mr.,  108. 

Mrs.,  365,  366,  367. 

Mrs.  Richard,  241. 

Nahiun,  265,  295,  351. 

Richard,  213,  264,  320. 

Ruth  Stetson  (Gurney),  295. 

Samuel,  278,  315. 

Sarah,  364. 

Susan,  265. 

Susan  (Gurney),  295. 

WiHiam,  9. 
Warden,  Mary,  186. 
Warden,  Elizabeth  (Beal),  304. 

Henry  Hughes,  304. 

Susan  Withers,  273. 
Ware,  Annie,  356. 

Calvin,  260. 

Dr.,  228. 

Elizabeth  Aime,  241. 

George,  261. 

Henry,  241,  361. 

Joseph,  207,  286. 

Leonard,  321. 

Mary,  261. 

Mrs.  Leonard,  353. 

Nancy  (Smith),  207,  286. 
Warham,  Mr.,  8. 
W^arren,  Abby  Burr  (Hedge),  327. 

Calvin,  262,  273. 

Caroline,  273. 

Charles  Henry,  327. 

Deborah,  127,  135. 

Deborah  (Williams),  132. 

Ebenezer,  133,  140,  170. 

Hannah,  135. 


INDEX 


423 


Warren,  Joseph,  68,  73,  80,  131, 139, 
132,  137,  146,  153. 

Mary  (Stevens),  132. 

Samuel,  312. 

Susanna,  133. 
Waterman,  Dependence  Sturtevant, 
215,  268,  324,  325. 

Georgiana,  268. 
Watertown,  3. 
Watkins,  Andrew,  125. 

Elizabeth,  125. 
Watson,  Alice  (Prentise),  47. 

Dorcas,  61. 

George,  276. 

Jeannette  P.,  268. 

John,  47,  60,  61. 

Lucia  Marston,  276. 

Mary,  61. 

Nathan,  204. 

Sister,  62. 
Way,  Samuel  Allds,  279,  294. 

Sarah  Ami  (Simpson),  294. 
Weatherly,  Rebecca,  253. 
Webb,  Rebecca,  52. 

William,  52. 
Webster,  Ann  Eliza  (Gushing),  313. 
Weed,  Isabel,  289. 
Weeks,  Ida  T.,  271. 
Weisse,  Jane  Lee  (Hunt),  318. 

John  Adam,  289,  318. 
Welch,  Francis  William,  277. 

Margaret  C,  269. 

Mary  Anne  (Humphrey),  277. 
Weld,  Welde  — 

Aaron  Davis,  272. 

Abijah,  132. 

Amy,  56. 

Barbara  (Clap),  52. 

Benjamin,  204,  211,  212,  228,  263, 
296,  298,  343,  351,  358. 

Betsy  (Williams),  272. 

Caroline,  264. 

Charles  Richmond,  301. 

Clemence,  132. 

Daniel,  59,  185. 

David,  145,  185. 

Deborah,  129. 

Dorothie,  60,  122,  128. 


Weld,  Welde  — 

Edmond,  121,  132,  151,  167,  187. 

Edmund  Grindall,  148. 

Edward,  74. 

Elijah,  198. 

Elizabeth,  52,  56,  120,  126,  130, 
143,  185,  261,  263,  264,  298. 

Elizabeth  (Heath),  204. 

Elizabeth  H.,  267. 

Elizabeth  (Rodman),  300. 

Elizabeth  (Tucker),  185. 

Elizabeth  (Wilhams),  200. 

Esther,  307. 

E.,  365. 

Francis  Minot,  300. 

Hannah,  122,  123. 

John,  55,  60,  71,  120,  121. 

Joseph,  9,  10,  39,  52,  73,  120, 
122,  123,  130,  151,  190,  338. 

Judith,  16,  47. 

Katy,  198. 

Margaret  (Bowen),  55. 

Margret,  16,  47,  60,  123. 

Martha  (Williams),  272. 

Mary,  122,  190,  271. 

Mary  Elizabeth  (Read),  302. 

Misses,  364. 

Mrs.  Benjamin,  367. 

Nancy,  273,  364,  366. 

Nancy  (Sumner),  273. 

Samuel,  121,  126,  151,  187,  197 
200,  261,  273. 

Sarah,  122,  124,  129,  187. 

Sarah  (Davis),  185. 

Stephen  Minot,  302. 

Susan,  264. 

Susan  R.,  267. 

Susanna,  126. 

Susannah  (Morey),  272. 

Thomas,  1,  4,  5,  8,  9,  10,  15,  16. 
22,  23,  38,  47,  60, 120, 121, 128, 
131,  194,  336. 

Wife  of  Elijah,  198. 
Wells,  Belinda,  317. 

Elizabeth  White,  333. 

Lucia  G.,  328. 

Sarah,  269. 

Sarah  EUzabeth,  310. 
Wendell,  Frank,  302. 


424 


INDEX 


Wendell,  Helen,  302. 
West,  Benjamin,  131,  198. 

Blanche  M.,  350. 

Joanna,  133,  136. 
West  Roxbury  church  organized,  75. 
Wheat,  Victoria  G.,  322. 
Wheeler,  Joel,  262. 

Wife  of  Joel,  262. 
Wheelock,  Fanny  A.,  356. 
Wheelwright,  Frances  Ann  Minns, 
289. 

George  William,  296,  318. 

Hannah  Giddings  (Tyler),  318. 

Harriet  E.,  333. 

Josiah,  298,  299,  321,  352. 

Lucinda  Orne  (Chapin),  321. 

Susan  C,  321. 

Susan  Minns,  321. 

William,  321. 
Whitaker,  Caroline,  294. 
Whitcomb,  Henry  Clay,  209. 

Nathaniel  Osgood,  334,  353. 
Wliite,  Aaron,  167,  283. 

Abigail,  291. 

Anna  Maria  (Halsey),  303. 

Anne,  130. 

Bartholomew,  275,  310. 

Benjamin,  128. 

Edward,  57. 

Elizabeth,  62,  120,  122,  128,  203, 
273. 

Elizabeth  AmeUa,  322. 

Elizabeth  (Cheney),  283. 

Ellen,  365. 

Eunice,  291. 

Francis,  127,  128. 

Hannah,  63,  123,  134,  275. 

Harriet,  296. 

Henry,  302,  333. 

James,  162,  195. 

Jane  E.,  269. 

Jane  Eliza,  302. 

Jane  Eliza  (Williams),  333. 

John,  62,  69,  120,  121,  126. 

Joseph,  63,  65,  69,  128,  294,  303. 

Lucy,  315. 

Marc,  365. 

Margaret,  127. 


White,  Margaret  U.,  269. 

Mary,  196. 

Nancy  (Avery),  283. 

Ruth,  202. 

Salome,  273,  365. 

Sarah  D.  H.,  269. 

Samuel,  129,  130. 

Sarah,  201. 

Susanna,  185. 

Wife  of  Edward,  57. 

William,  260,  283,  351. 
Whiting,  Abigail  Sumner  (Williams), 
204. 

Abigail  S.,  261. 

Carohne,  308. 

Charlotte  E.,  264,  332. 

Daniel,  300. 

Elizabeth,  300. 

Isabel,  289. 

Joel,  204,  261,  277. 

Lydia  Cushing  (Russell),  301,  325. 

Miss,  349. 

Misses,  365. 

Moses,  229,  289,  290,  351. 

Nancy  F.,  263. 

Percis  Rice  (Clark),  290. 

Persis  R.,  364. 

Rose  S.,  325. 

Roxanna  C,  264. 

Wilham,  263,  277,  301,  325. 
Whitin,  Ehzabeth  Gardner,  251. 
Whitman,  Levi,  197. 
Whitmarsh,  Caroline,  290. 
Whitney,  Abigail,  195,  205. 

Abigail  (Dana),  307. 

Asa,  210,  260,  262,  307,  344. 

Christina  Kadie  Swan  (Sargent 
335. 

Daniel,  207,  260. 

Elisha,  259,  278,  307. 

Elizabeth,  124,  260. 

Elizabeth  (Harris),  64. 

Hannah,  188. 

Israel  Goodwin,  335,  352. 

John,  123,  197. 

Mary,  262. 

Mary  (Hammond),  307. 


INDEX 


425 


Whitney,  Redy,  205. 

Sally  (Heath),  278. 

Susanna,  129. 
Whitridge,  Maria  Louisa,  324. 
Whittamore,     Whittemore,     Witte- 
more  — 

Aaron  E.,  330. 

Ehza,  52. 

Jacob,  163. 

John,  344. 

LawTence,  52. 

Mary,  279. 

Samuel,  162,  168,  195,  316. 

Sarah,  329. 
Whittier,  John  G.,  242. 
Whittington,  Ahce  Parker  (Streeter), 
322. 

Hiram,  277,  322. 
Whitwell,  Ehsa,  285. 

EUzabeth,  289. 

Samuel,  285,  289. 
Wiesse,  John  A.,  266. 

Jane  L.,  266. 
Wiggins,  Georgie  M.,  349. 
Wigglesworth,  Mr.,  13. 
Wild,  Danl,  344. 
Wiley,  Margaret,  267,  285. 

Thomas,  267,  285. 
Willard,  Aaron,  204, 229, 285,343,351. 

Catherine  Gates,  282. 

Jane,  364. 

Jane  I.,  329. 

Jane  J.,  265. 

John,  345. 

Joseph  A.,  333. 

Josiah,  72,  150. 

Mary,  204. 

Mary  EUzabeth  Read  (Weld),  302. 

Mary  (Leeds),  200. 

Maria  Louisa  (McCleary),  302. 

Mrs.,  72,  366. 

Paul,  302. 

Simon,  200,  219,  220,  222. 
WUlett,  Abner,  262. 

Sibyl,  207. 
WiUiams,  WilUas  — 

Aacon  Da\is,  213,  229,  262, 
268,  272,  327,  328,  343,  346, 
351,  358. 


WiUiams,  WilUas  — 

Abigail,  119,   126,   129,  195,  201, 

286,  310. 
Abigail  Sumner,  204. 
Amos  Adams,  272,  314. 
Amy,  206. 
Anna   (Ami,  Anne,  Annie),   187, 

188,  194,  200,  269. 
Anne  (Tileston),  276. 
Benjamin,  267,  338. 
Bertha  F.,  270. 
Betsy,  203,  272. 
Betsy  (WiUiams),  203. 
Brother,  59. 
Capt.  179. 
Catherine,  143,  196. 
Charlotte,  291. 
Daniel,  132,  151. 
Deborah,  123,  132,  133. 
Dorothy,  78,  133,  140,  256,  258. 
Dorothy  (W^eld),  122. 
Dr.,  178. 
Dr.  E.  T.,  270. 
Dudley,  206,  275. 
Dwight,  310. 
Ebenezer,  123,  130,  191. 
Edward  Payson,  312. 
Eleazer,  68,  80,  81,  132,  140,  141, 

146,  151,  152,  155. 
Ellen  M.,  265. 
Elijah,  281. 
EUza  Dorr,  270. 
EUzabeth,  57,  78,  121,  125,  135. 

188,  189,  197,  200. 
EUzabeth  (McCarthy),  282. 
Elizabeth  (Stalham),'53,  117. 
EUzabeth  Weld,  277. 
EmmeUne  Eames    (Childs),   282. 
Frances  (Jones),  282. 
George  Foster,  268,  291. 
Grace,  129. 

Hannah,  125,  132,  188,  195. 
Hannah  (Davis),  194. 
Hannah  (Dudley),  134. 
Hannah  D.,  263. 
Harriet  A.,  319. 
HemyHoweU,  157,272. 
Isaac,  60,  80,  131,  354. 


426 


INDEX 


Williams,  Jane,  188. 
Jane  Eliza,  333. 
Jeremiah,  143,  188,  282. 
Joanna, 197. 
John,  57,  122,  131,  139,  140,  159, 

168,   186,   187,   192,   194,  285, 

338,  344. 
John  Da\is,  158,  168,  194,  272. 
John  Shirley,  260,  265,  272,  314. 
Jonathan,  140,  168,  259,  276,  305. 
Joseph,  67,  68,  119,  129,  134,  137, 

139,   145,   146,   147,   151,   155, 

157-8,  162,  167,  168,  169,  171, 

178,   188,   190,   192,  280,  314, 

338,  343. 
Katharine,  186. 
Katharine  (Morrill),  281. 
Lois,  260. 

Lois  (Cunningham),  196. 
Louisa,  343. 
Louisa  (Palmer),  308. 
Lucy,  261,  262. 
Lydia,  262,  282. 

Martha,     125,     131,     193,     261, 
272. 

Martha  (Howell),  134. 
Mary,  123, 131, 135,  142,  190,  203, 

284,  344. 
Mary  (Capen),  128,  185. 
Mary  (Langdon),  196. 
Mary  Nye  (Bangs),  281. 
Mary  (Sumner),  194. 
Mary  W.,  264. 
Maud,  349. 
Mercy  (Davis),  192. 
Mr.,  354. 
Mrs.,  344. 

Nabby  Langdon,  311. 
Nancy,  260,  262,  276,  314. 
Nancy  (Bugbee),  272. 
Nancy  Hunt  (Fellowes),  272. 
Nancy  (Williams),  314. 
Nathaniel,  140. 
Nathaniel  Whiting,  203. 
Nehemiah  Davis,  262,  266,  280, 

344,  351,  358. 
Nicholas,  59. 
Noah  Perrin,  205. 


Williams,  Park,  129. 

Polly,  206,  260,  302,  308. 

Polly  (Wilhams),  206. 

PrisciUa,  127. 

Rebecca,  276. 

Robert,  53,  117,  191,  194,  271. 

Robert  B.,  285. 

Sallv,  204,  272. 

Sally  (Wilhams),  272. 

Samuel,  57,  60,  67. 

Sarah,    78,    123,    129,    133,    142, 

191,  195,  206. 
Sarah  Eliza,  331. 
Sarah  Elizabeth,  275. 
Sarah  (Heath),  280. 
Sarah  (Payson),  185. 
Sarah  (Tileston),  132. 
Sarah  (Wise),  62. 
Samuel,   78,   81,   117,   121,   122, 

123,   129,   137,   139,   141,   142, 

146,   151,   168,   186,  206,  338, 

351. 
Samuel  Sprague,  262. 
Stedman,  203,  263,  309,  312,  323, 

343,  351,  358. 
Stephen, 62, 76, 122, 125, 128, 129, 

131,   140,   145,   155,   158,   160, 

162,   167,   185,   187,   192,   196, 

284,  308,  314,  316. 
Stephen  Henry,  281,  353. 
Sue,  270. 

Susan  B.  (Farnham),  328. 
Susan  F.,  268. 
Susan  L.,  268. 
Susan  Lucy  (Fellowes),  291. 
Susannah  (May),  192. 
Theoda,  60,  128,  192,  278. 
Theoda  (Parke),  117. 
Thomas,  160,    167,  178,  191,  220, 

282,  310,  315,  316,  317,  343. 
William,  122,  191,  198. 
Willis,  Susanna,  128. 
Wilmarth,  Daniel,  255. 

Henry  Dan,  209,  255,  289. 
Matilda  (Reynolds),  255. 
Sarah  (Luke),  255. 
Wilson,  Ann,  49. 
Barnabas,  134. 


INDEX 


427 


Wilson,  Elizabeth  (Mansfield),  41. 

Frances  Taylor,  334. 

G.  H.,  353. 

Hannah,  58,  124. 

John,  21,  41,  130. 

Joseph,  122. 

Josephine,  270. 
'    Mary,  41. 

Maud,  349. 

Mr.,  21. 

Nathaniel,  58,  122,  124. 

Sally,  259. 

Sarah,  130. 

Thomas,  49. 
Winchester,  Amariah,  131. 

Goodman,  69. 

Hannah,  65,  121. 

Joanna,  65,  124. 

John,  65,  69,  126,  131. 

Jonathan,  121. 

Josiah,  121,  125,  129. 

Mary,  121,  122,  126,  190. 

Moses,  190. 

Sarah,  129,  131. 
Windship,  Winship  — 

Charles    May,  276. 

Susan  (Barker),  276,  364,  367. 

Nathl,  199. 
Winslow,  Harriet,  304, 

Isaac,  158,  338. 

Jemima,  195. 

Louisa,  275. 

Louisa  M.,  304. 

Rebecca,  191. 
Winthrop,  Lucy,  142. 
Winsor,  Mary  D.,  266. 

Mary  Ann  (Davis),  330. 

Elizabeth,  326. 

Henry,  266,  330. 
Wise,  Abigail,  123. 

Bethia,  120. 

Elizabeth,  51. 

Joseph,  58. 

Katherin,  120. 

Mary,  58. 

Sarah,  62. 
Wiswell,  Sarah  Adams,  322. 


Winters,  William,  3. 
Withington,  Alpheus  M.,  288,  828. 
351. 

Betsey  (Baker),  305. 

Ebenezer,  305. 

Hannah  (Leeds),  204. 

Hiram,  328. 

Lewis,  343. 

Mary  (Preston),  305. 

Phineas,  204,  305. 

Susan  M.,  828. 
Wolcott,    Caroline    (Frothingham), 
327. 

Harriet  (Frothingham),  327. 

Joshua  Himtington,  327. 

Roger,  327. 
Wolford,  Richard,  69. 
Woman's  AlHance,  The,  359, 370. 
Wood,  Woods — 

Edith  M.,  350. 

Elizabeth,  129,  198. 

Hervey,  215,  221,  260. 

Jemima,  130,  133. 

John,  130,  140,  160. 

Joseph,  134. 

Mary,  135. 

Mercy,  189. 

Miranda,  290. 

Samuel,  189. 

Susanna,  142. 
Woodbridge,  Maria  Marsh,  291. 

Martha,  193. 

Priscilla  D.,  306. 
Woodforde,  Mary  (Blott),  47. 

Thomas,  47. 
Woodman,  Greorge,  300. 

Louisa  (Gore),  300. 

Mary,  294. 
Woodward,  Abraham,  130,  142. 

Ester,  64,  122. 

George,  130. 

Hannah,  122,  192. 

Ichabod,  130. 

Mary,  124. 

Nathaniel,  130. 

Sarah,  142. 

Thomas,  61,  64,  69,  122. 

Tryphena,  126. 


428 


INDEX 


Woody,  Woddy  —  • 

Ann,  56. 

Elizabeth,  65. 

Frances  (Dexter),  57. 

John,  56. 

Martha,  65. 

Mary,  57,  65. 

Mary  (Coggin),  56. 

Richard,  56,  57,  65. 

Samuel,  65. 
Woolton,  Eliz.,  49. 
Worsley,  Joseph,  190. 
Worthington,  Abby  Bartlett  (Adams) 
327. 

Roland,  327,  329. 
Wright,  Write  — 

George,  346. 

Rachel,  47,  54. 
Wroth,  Mr.,  53. 
Wyman,  Ann,  265. 

Anne  (Morrill),  246. 

Asa,  262. 

Caroline  K.,  269,  323. 

Caroline  King  (Hooper),  323. 

Cath.,  262. 

Catherine  (Taber),  290. 

Edward,  214, 268, 323. 


Wyman,  Elizabeth,  267,  273. 

Eimice,  246. 

George  H.,  334. 

Isaac,  262,  290,  351. 

John,  203. 

Margaret  Carey  (Boyd),  323. 

Margaret  Curry,  267-323. 

Mary,  293. 

Rufus,  209,  246,  264. 

Sarah,  262. 

Sarah  (White),  201,  262. 

Thos.,  162,  201,  290. 

Wife  of  Asa,  262. 

Wm.,  260. 

Zebediah,  246. 
Wyeth,  John,  176. 

Young,  Elizabeth  Loring,  286. 

Helen  M.,  349. 

Henrietta,  325. 
Youngman,  Cornelius,  128. 

Francis,  123. 

Ziegler,  George,  199,  201,  221,  278, 
283. 
Mary,  201. 
Mary  (Blaney),  199. 


Date 

Due 

t  . 

'' 

f^ 

ti^ 

/ 

/ 

/ 

/ 

(l) 

K°o-ftSSt  Church  in  Roxbury, 

Pnncelon  Theological  Semmary-Speer^Librarv^ 


1       1 


012  00020  8126 


^^^=i^M 


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